Novels2Search

Chapter 14: May The Best Man Win

Chapter 14

SFX: It’s a beautiful morning~!

“ahuuu~ Ah! It’s been a long time since I got a nice sleep and it’s all thanks to Aphrodite!” This is the best! 

I did everything what every normal human would do after they wake up. “Good morning~!” I greeted everyone with a smile as I go downstairs.

“H-H-H-Haruka greeted me and she smiled at me!!!” Hehe! Just this once! Because I’m really in a good mood! I went to the dining room and the whole gang is there eating together. The hell? They didn’t even bother to get me? I walked to their table and the first one to notice me is Shirley.

“Haruka-nee! Are you okay now?” Yeah. I FEEL REFRESHED.

“Yo.” Acting cool again Grey? I just smiled at him.

“Onee-chan. You look gorgeous as usual.” Kathy complimented me. Onee-chan? Why is she calling me Onee-chan? 

“Why are you calling me onee-chan now? You used to call me by my name.” 

“Because if I’m Shirley’s fiancé and she’s your little sister. Doesn’t that make you my sister?” Kathy asked and she pulled Shirley beside her. I prefer to be called “Onii-chan” but that will sound weird if I say that to her. I’ll just ride anything they say.

“Y-yeah. Please take care of Shirley. You have to keep an eye on her because she can be, uhm, you know? Unfaithful?” Shirley glared at me. Sorry!

“I haven’t accepted that Kathy’s my fiancé so don’t say anything yet and stop selling me Haruka-nee or I’ll sell you to someone.....” Shirley looked at Vincent. This girl...... It seems like I need to discipline her a little more huh? I looked at Vincent. Weird.... He’s ignoring me.

“Hey Vincent!” I showed him my brightest smile. He looked at me and then he quickly look away. What’s with him? Did I do something to make him mad?

“Fufu~, Looks like someone’s mad~” Shirley commented. 

“Kathy.” Taki needs to be punished.

“Yes?”

“We’ll do three to four requests this day and after we finish you can take Shirley for yourself. Deal?” Kathy’s eyes started to sparkle.

“Mm! Deal!” I shake hands with Kathy.

“What? I don’t get a say in this matter?” Shirley retorted.

I glared at her “SHUT.UP” Shirley was about to say something when a zombie- I mean Alex came in the dining room. He doesn’t look good. He looks like a walking skeleton.

“Foooooooooooood.........” Before getting to a table, Alex collapsed. I wonder what happened to him.

*Growls*

“Afufu...~”

“Harold! Get my sister the usual!” Shirley shouted.

“It’s on me!” She grinned. What is she planning? Maybe I’m thinking to deep. Maybe Shirley’s just doing this out of her good will. Vincent is still ignoring me. Think. Think! What did I do to get him mad at me? ................ I can’t think of anything!! What the hell is Vincent’s problem?

“I’ll be going now.” Vincent stood up and he didn’t even bother to look at me! Hey bro!

“Here it is!” Harold came to our table and served my food. I’ll just eat because thinking makes me hungrier.

*Chomp*

*Chomp*

“What’s with you and Vincent?” Grey asked. How would I know? I don’t even know why he got mad at me.

“I don’t know.”

“Last time I saw Vincent like that was a long time ago. I think he was jealous because he saw Erica hugging a man that he doesn’t know. He didn’t talk to Erica for a week.” He’s jealous? Seriously? Did I kiss or hug a man? Come to think of it.... I think I did......

Flashback......

“HARUKA!!” Grey came running to me and he hugged me.

“Get away from me! Get away-“ I saw Vincent glaring at us and after a few moments, he walked away.

End of flashback

“I think I know why he’s mad....” I didn’t hug Grey! Grey was the one who hugged me! Vincent is really stupid! Didn’t he see that I’m pushing Grey away at that time? And why am I making a huge racket about this? *Sigh* I’ll just finish eating and get a good request.

“Heh....!” Huh? Grey smirked all of a sudden. What with him? Did he take some weeds?

“I’ll go out. I’ll go back later.” Grey stood up and he left. Seriously... WHAT’S HAPPENING? After I finished eating, I went to the request board.

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Grey’s POV

“Haruka-nee! Are you okay now?” Where’s Haruka? Ah, there she is. She looks stunning every time I see her.

“Yo.” She looked at me and she smiled. Whoa... I didn’t think that she would smile at me. I mean, every time she sees me, she gets pissed normally and I like her when she gets pissed at me. She’s really hot when she’s angry.

“Onee-chan. You look gorgeous as usual.” I still can’t believe that Kathy’s a lesbian..... She’s really pretty. Expect the unexpected they say.

“Why are you calling me onee-chan now? You used to call me by my name.” Vincent is really quiet... What’s up with him? Haruka’s in front of him and he’s not speaking a word.

I didn’t listen to their conversation and I just continued eating. 

“Hey Vincent.” Haruka called Vincent. Vincent looked at her and then, he looked away. Dude! Haruka’s taking the initiative! This idiot!

Haruka’s stomach growled and she blushed. She’s too cute! Shirley shouted something at Harold.

“I’ll be going now.” The food on Vincent’s plate isn’t even fully eaten yet. This guy... I know that look. He’s mad. He’s ignoring Haruka.... Which means, he’s either jealous or just in a bad mood.

“What’s with you and Vincent?” I asked Haruka.

”I don’t know.” So she doesn’t know?

No.... I remember that he acted like this once! So he got jealous! “Last time I saw Vincent like that was a long time ago. I think he was jealous because he saw Erica hugging a man that he doesn’t know. He didn’t talk to Erica for a week.” Haruka seems that she got into a deep thinking after what I said. Let’s leave her be. 

“I think I know why he’s mad....” Haruka suddenly spoke. Yeah, I know it too. It’s because I hugged you yesterday.

“Heh....!” I need to talk to Vincent. There’s something I want to tell him. After all, I’m starting a war with him.....

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Haruka’s POV

“So far, 2 good requests. I still need 1 more.” *Sigh* I need some fresh air. I gave Aria the two requests that I got and I told her to reserve it for me. I went out of the guild and I took a stroll around the city. It’s been days after I got reincarnated in this world. Maybe I need to take some break. I’ve been fighting, fighting , fighting and FIGHTING! Hmmm, I should look for more clothes and ahem! Underwear... I’m not a pervert! Everyone wears underwear!

“I’m really enjoying visiting shops..... Is this because I’m a girl now?” When I was living as a man, every time my mom asks me to accompany her to the mall, I always get sleepy because it was boring. After buying a lot of clothes, for some unknown reasons, I can’t stop myself from buying some girly clothes.... But majority of what I bought is for clothes for men! And for the underwear don’t ask. I bought everything what my hands landed on. I should buy lunch now. I’m getting hungry.

“Where should I eat? At the guild? Nah. I should look for a good restaurant around here...” A cheap restaurant! As I was walking around, I saw Vincent with Grey. What are those two doing and where are they going? I got curious so, I followed the two.

The two went outside of the city and they went deep into the woods. “Are they doing a request? “ I mumbled to myself. 

“What is it that you want to say Grey?” Vincent sounds kind of angry.

“Before I answer that, aren’t you cold to Haruka this morning?” Grey seems to be calm.

“So? I know that you know why I’m acting like this.” Uh oh..... This smells like trouble...

“Well yeah. I know. It’s because I hugged her yesterday right?” WHAT?! HE KNEW?! GREY! YOU FUCKING LIAR! YOU ACTED LIKE YOU DON’T KNOW BUT YOU ACTUALLY KNOW!

“So what are you trying to say? Are you going to brag at my face that you hugged her?!” I want to step in but I have a feeling that I shouldn’t yet...

“Brag? No. I’m here to announce something.” Grey is not showing any signs that he’s angry or happy.

“And what is that?” Yeah! What is it? I’m curious!

“I like Haruka.” Huh? Did I just hear Grey say “I like Haruka”? 

Vincent didn’t respond. He just glared at Grey.

“I said, I like Haruka.” Grey said it again! What’s this? He likes me? Grey likes me? Hahahahaha.... I know! Maybe it’s another girl with the same name as me! Yeah! That’s it! HAHAHAHAHA!! 

“You.... Since when?” I saw Vincent clenching his fist. I think I have to stop this now before this two fights...

“Since she rejected my invitation.” Invitation? When? Is that when he blocked my way with his huge sword? That was not an invitation. He’s forcing me to join his party so that- let’s stop there.

“I accept.” Vincent said. What? He accepts what?

“Then it’s settled.” Grey walked towards Vincent. Are they going to fight?! I grabbed the handle of my sword “May the best man win” and they shake hands. Eh? May the best man win? I’m getting a headache and these two are the reason. Hahaha... So the Haruka that Grey likes is actually me? I was only twisting reality. I didn’t want to believe it.... I stepped back and I accidentally stepped on a twig and it made a sound which is enough for Vincent and Grey to hear. 

“Who’s there?” Vincent took out his sword.

“Show yourself!” Grey placed his huge sword on his shoulder.

This is bad! I NEED TO RUN! BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHERE AND HOW?! Vincent started walking towards my direction! Holy!

“Last warning! If you don’t show yourself, we’ll take you down!” Please don’t! I’m an innocent woman- no I’m a man!

I’ll run now! I grabbed some rocks unconsciously before I ran.

“What will I do with these?” Wait! Grey is an idiot! Maybe I can use these to distract them! I threw the rocks at a ramdom direction and it TOOK DOWN A TREE! A STONE TOOK DOWN A TREE! WOOHOO!!!

“Vincent! There!” Grey shouted. YES! IT WORKED!

“Go there! Maybe there’s two of them.” NO! GO WITH GREY! Vincent is too smart! Now what to do? I absolutely can’t get caught! If you ask me why, the answer is I DON’T KNOW!

“Show yourself now! This is the last warning.....” Vincent is SCARY! He’s totally glaring at my direction... Do I have to act like I fainted in here? No.... They would think that I fainted because I heard their conversation.

“Looks like you’re in trouble?” Huh? 

Artiz

Level ???

Shapeshifter

Him again? What does he need from me? I grabbed my sword and readied myself.

“Why are you here? What is it that you want?” I quickly drew my sword and I pointed it to his neck. Artiz wave both of his hands and he’s holding two white flags? Where the hell did those came from?

“Whoa! I’m not here to fight! I can’t answer your question but do you want some help?” Help? Why would he help me? What’s in it for him? He’s totally suspicious..... I can’t trust this guy. 

“.............” I didn’t answer.

“You’re thinking that I’m plotting somethin bad huh?” Artiz chuckled “He’s here. Are you a good at acting?” Huh acting? He suddenly punched me in the stomach “Ah!” It hurts just a bit. Did he hold back? He carried me on his shoulder.

120 damage received!

“[Human form]” Artiz transformed into a black haired man with orange eyes in his 20’s... But his clothes didn’t change. This guy... He’s dangerous. He’s totally dangerous. I shouldn’t make him my enemy.

I heard footsteps nearby “Who are y- Haruka?! You! What are you doing to her?!” So this is his plan huh? “HUH?” Artiz made a delinquent’s face “Do I need to answer you? Get lost if you don’t want to die! Blegh!” 

MAN! YOU’RE NOT A GOOD AT ACTING AT ALL! 

“Let her go.... And I will let you go alive.” Vincent threatened Artiz.

Artiz, I think this is enough... Please don’t go further....

“YOU? LET ME GO ALIVE? ARE YOU TRYIN TO MAKE ME LAUGH?!” *sigh* Maybe I’ll wake up now. If this continues, Vincent is the one who’s going to die.

“Uhhh....” I looked around. “V-Vincent? Where am I? Who is this guy?” Acting is kind of easy for me. 

“Haruka!” Vincent dashed forward and he attacked Artiz. Artiz dodged every attack like he’s just playing around. 

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“Is this all what you’ve got? I’m disappointed.” Artiz gave Vincent a blow on the stomach which made Vincent flew so far.

“Shit....!” Is the last word I heard from Vincent.

“That was going too far!” I hissed at Artiz.

“Oh! Sorry! I got carried away!” This guy totally love fights.

Grey ran to Vincent “What happened?” Vincent pointed at my direction “That guy has Haruka.” Grey looked at my direction and he stood up. ”I’ll take care of it.” Grey started walking “Be careful, that guy is really strong.”

“You know what to do right?!” I whispered to Artiz’s ear. 

“Yeah.” Grey threw his sword at Artiz and he charged towards him. His usual strategy? Throw his sword and take his opponent hand-to-hand. Artiz didn’t move. He caught the sword and he threw it back at Grey. YOU IDIOT! WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING BACK?! 

I punched and punched Artiz on the head. Is he dumb?

“Aw! Ouch! Stop that! I get it already! Sorry! I just can’t help but feel excited when there’s someone who wants to fight with me!” I know that already. Artiz threw me on the ground. OUCH! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!

40 damage received

“Stop talking to yourself and face me!” Grey is really pissed. Not that I can blame him. His opponent is clearly playing with him.

“Yeah~ now come at me! I will end you here!” Artiz! This dumbass! 

“Don’t regret this!!!” Grey charged at him and he swinged his sword at Artiz with all of his might. Artiz charged towards Grey too and he didn’t dodge his attack at all.

“DIE!!!” Artiz screamed.

“ARGH! THIS CAN’T BE!!” Artiz fell down.

“Eh?” Grey looked confused. OF COURSE HE WOULD BE CONFUSED! THE SWORD HASN’T HIT ARTIZ YET AND HE WAS DEFEATED. Artiz is really bad at acting..... I feel ashamed for some unknown reason... I need to take Grey’s attention on me.

“Grey!” I ran to him while crying. This should buy Artiz some time to escape. I took a glance at Artiz and I signaled him using my hand to run away. Shoo! Shoo!

“Are you okay?” The most used line of all time. ‘ARE YOU OKAY?!’ If you see a person dying, will you still ask him/her ‘ARE YOU OKAY?’ I nodded.

“Okay! Stop hugging now!” Vincent pulled me away from Grey and he suddenly carried me in his arms. Is this a bridal carry? Or princess carry? Just.... don’t mind me.....

“Rude! But I’ll let you have her for now. Apologize properly!” Grey went to see the body of Artiz.

“What the?! Where is that guy? He disappeared!” Grey looked everywhere. Don’t even bother. You will not find him.

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Walking back to the guild. Vincent is really quiet.... And just to inform, he’s still carrying me.

“Sorry......” At last! He spoke! I’m not particularly angry at him so maybe I’ll forgive him.

“It’s okay! Maybe you’re just in a bad mood this morning! Don’t worry! I understand that!” I smiled at him.

“Can I ask you a favor? Favor? Well, if it doesn’t involve having sex with you then I’ll agree.

“What is it?” Vincent looked away.

“Please don’t ever let Grey hug you and please don’t hug him too. I don’t like it....” That’s pretty simple!

“Okay! I’ll punch him when he tries to hug me!” Vincent smiled which made my heart beat a little fast. Aphrodite released me from that curse... It’s fine! Maybe there’s little fragments left from Regulus spell inside me. No need to worry!

We arrived at the guild and I went to my room.

“Ah! I’m tired!” I jumped on the bed.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t checked my stats. I wonder what level I am now.” I grabbed my identificator card out.

Name: Haruka Azor

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Money: 113,000 Ruth

Level: 27

HP: 1,881/1,881+(200)

MP: 801/801+(1,350)

Str: 189+(345)

Agi: 157+(252)

Int: 89+(150)

Vit: 155+(210)

Luck: 83

MRes: 90+(200)

Charm: 1200+(1020)

Offense: 130+(60)

Defense: 90+(639)

Titles: Hero, Voluptuous blonde goddess, One punch girl, Beast slayer, Goddess of Dragon Fang Guild, Bunny girl, Jealous girl, Aphrodite’s chosen one, Sleepless one (Deactivated) 

Skills

Shockwave (Active)

Holy slash (Active)

Barrier (Active)

Divine Aura (Passive & Active)

Sword of light (Active)

Limit Break (Active)

Identfiy (Passive)

Guardian angel (Active)

Equip

Weapon: Silver Fang

Head: Silver Helm

Torso: Dress of Retribution

Waist: Shorts

Legs: leather boots

Accessory: Silver Gauntlets

Accessory: None

A new title? And it’s deactivated? And there’s a new skill!

Sleepless one (Deactivated)- Because you haven’t slept for a long time, there is a 65% chance to sleep anywhere and anytime. Also decreases your stats by 200.

Guardian angel- Grants all of your allies a +700 to defense for 2 minutes. Duration increases and mana consumption decreases and you level up.

Cooldown: 9 minutes                                                         Mana needed: 1300              

WHOOO! IT’S GOOD THAT THIS TITLE IS DEACTIVATED! And this new skill is really useful but it eats a lot of mana.

*Door opens*

“Hey Hiroki!” Shirley went inside and she jumped on the bed as well.

“Sup?” I looked at her. I want to know what level she is now.

Shirley Suzuki

Level 21

Arch Priest

“So you’re level 21? What have you been doing? We need to get stronger quickly, you know?” Shirley grabbed out her identificator card.

“How the hell did you know what level I am now? I didn’t tell you and I didn’t show you my identificator card.” Oops! 

“I have a skill that lets me see the name, level and class of the people around me.” Shirley grabbed my shoulder and she gave me the “I want to learn that skill” look.

“Please teach me that skill!!” Shirley bowed her head and she clapped her hands only once.

“Eh... I don’t have the skill book anymore... It disappeared after I learned the skill so, sorry.” Shirley looked at me.

“Where did you buy it?” You don’t want to know.

“Uh, I forgot.” She glared at me.

“I know when you’re telling the truth and when you’re lying Hiroki!” *sigh* no choice.

“Regulus sold it to me. He disguised himself as a merchant.” Shirley’s eyes started to twitch.

“HE SOLD YOU ONE AND NONE FOR ME?! HEY REGULUS! YOU SHIT FACE! GIVE ME ONE TOO!” All of the lights in my room suddenly closed and it’s DARK! When I say it’s dark, it’s totally dark!!! VINCENT!!! IF YOU’RE THE ONE DOING THIS THEN STOP!!! I’M WARNING YOU!!

“Kyaaaa!!!” I did it again. I just went and go “Kyaaa!!!” As a man, this is shameful. I grabbed a blanket and I covered myself with it. A white light appeared in front of us and with it, a book is slowly descending. The lights went back on and I heard footsteps nearing my room. The door fell down and I saw Vincent.

“What happened?! Are you okay?!!” Well.... I’m fine but the door isn’t.

“I’m fine. The door is open by the way.... You didn’t have to destroy it.” I don’t want to sleep knowing that my room doesn’t have a door. I don’t know what my “Followers” might do to me and Shirley.

“......... Is that so?” Vincent went into a corner and there he repeatedly mumbled to himself “I screwed up again. I hope she doesn’t hate me for breaking down her door. I t-thought she was in danger.... I screwed up......”

“Pfffft....! Hahahahaha!” I bursted in laughter. This guy is really hilarious! I like him! Only as a FRIEND. 

“What do I have to do to learn the skills in this book Haruka-nee?” Shirley showed me the book.

“Place your identificator card on top of it and it will do its job.” Shirley did what I said and it looks like a message popped in front of her. She’s glaring at the air after all.

“I gained [Identify], [Healing wave] and [Over Limit: Arch Demon Priest]” She said without looking at me.

“Tell me the details of your [Over Limit]” 

“It transforms me into an arch demon and triples my stats. Every time I heal my allies, the enemies around gets damage with the amount of heal I did and when I use an offense spell and it damages the enemies, it heals my allies with the same amount of damage I did. Last for 14 minutes. Duration is increased and cooldown is decreased as I level up.” Holy shit! THAT IS FUCKING AWESOME!!! Shirley is OP! 

“Nice! You have a wonderful skill! What’s the cooldown?” 

“18 hours.” WHAT?!! 18 hours?! Mine is 37 hours!!!!! HEY REGULUS THAT’S NOT FAIR!!!” I heard another footstep nearing my room.

“HARUKA!!!” The wall where my door is originally placed, is destroyed. Grey came in while gasping for air. SERIOUSLY?!! WHY DO YOU NEED TO DESTROY THE WALL? THE DOOR ISN’T THERE ANYMORE SO YOU CAN COME IN! 

“THE DOOR IS GONE SO WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DESTROY THE WALL?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Grey covered his ear and Shirley too.

“I thought it would be cool if I destroy the wall and save you.” Grey played with his hands.

“IT’S NOT COOL YOU FUCKING MORON!!! VINCENT ALREADY DESTROYED THE DOOR AND YOU DESTROYED THE WALLS. HOW HEROIC! NOW, HOW AM I GOING TO SLEEP KNOWING THAT THE WALLS AND THE DOOR WHICH KEEPS ME SAFE AT NIGHT IS GONE NOW?!!!” I can’t stop myself... This two must reflect on what they did. 

“I’m sorry....” Vincent mumbled and Grey is beside him too?!

“I’m sorry....” Grey mumbled too. The atmosphere around those two is really gloomy.

*Sigh* I’ll tell Aria that these two destroyed the door and a little bit of the wall of my room.

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“Haruka! Want to go on a request with me later?” Grey asked me and for some reason, he has this sparkling aura around him and his teeth are sparkling too. 

“Hell no.” Grey grabbed his chest “Ouch!” Stupid.

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“Thanks Aria.” We just finished doing three requests and I gained a level only but on the bright side, I earned 40,000 Ruth.

“Uhm, Haruka?” Vincent called me. What does he want?

“Yes?” He looked me in the eye “Want to go eat outside? It’s my treat.” HELL YEAH! FREE FOOD!!!

“Let’s go!” I grabbed him out of the guild.

After 4 minutes......

“Guys! Why didn’t you invite us?” Grey appeared with Shirley and Kathy.

“Hey Vincent... Aren’t we buddies?” Vincent glared at Grey while Kathy and Shirley went to a separate table.

“You said no interruptions.” 

“I just felt like doing it. Sorry!” Grey seated with us. 

“Haruka, it looks like Vincent is actually running out of money so, I’ll be the one treating you to dinner.”

“Who said that I’m running out of money?”

In the end, the two competed. They bought all the food that I wanted and I can’t even move after eating so much. I’m so full! I looked at Shirley’s table and she wasn’t there. Maybe they went to a love motel again? Vincent and Grey started arguing of who can carry me home since I can’t go move anymore.

“No! I should carry her home! I spent 5,000 Ruth on her food!” Grey retorted.

“*Smirk* I spent 6,000.” Really? I ate food costing 11,000 Ruth? That must’ve hurt for their pockets but don’t worry! I’ll pay you two back soon! But not now.

“I let you disturb us but I’m not going to let you disturb us anymore. Do you want me breaking your chances?” These two is really serious about their “May the best man win” thing.

We went back to the guild and I didn’t let Vincent or Grey to carry me. They argued and argued until I was able to stand up.

“This is your fault.” Grey elbowed Vincent.

“No this is your fault.” Vincent elbowed Grey.

*Sigh* what am I going to do with these two?

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Regulus’s POV

“There’s nothing happening.... WHY?!!” Regulus kicked the floor.

“I know! I’ll increase it to 70%! I’m a genius!” Regulus snapped his fingers.

“Now let’s see.” He looked at his television.

“Eh?” He snapped his fingers again. 

“What is happening here? I don’t understand.......”

"I see.... Aphrodite you..." Regulus's smiling face disappeared.