Kalem, who had been quiet up to this point, straightened in his seat and cleared his throat. He exchanged a glance with Shyri before focusing his gaze on Alesia and her two imposing companions.
"Thank you for inviting us," Kalem began, his tone respectful but confident. "Shyri and I weren’t expecting to get involved in something this big, but we're grateful for the support." He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, before continuing. "After what happened with Redom, we realized that staying in Fireguard isn’t an option. We're planning to head to Westhound, hoping to avoid him while finding quests that will help us level up."
His voice tightened slightly, and Shyri could sense the weight of his frustration as he spoke about the battle. "I'm level 36, but when I fought Redom, I was completely outmatched. I don’t know exactly what level he is, but he’s got to be around 50, maybe even higher. The gap was huge."
Kalem's eyes flickered with a mixture of regret and determination as he continued. "Even though I threw everything I had at him, it wasn’t enough. I couldn't keep myself alive, let alone protect Shyri. It was a brutal reminder of how much stronger we need to become."
Dorian and Royce listened in silence, their expressions unreadable, while Alesia leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze never leaving Kalem. She nodded, acknowledging his words.
Kalem took a deep breath before finishing. "We’re hoping Westhound will offer us the quests and opportunities we need to get stronger. But if Redom is hunting us, I know we’ll need more than just leveling up. We’ll need to outsmart him, and we can’t do that on our own."
He fell silent, looking between Alesia, Dorian, and Royce, waiting to hear their thoughts. Shyri could feel the tension in Kalem's words, the mixture of frustration and hope, and she squeezed his hand under the table as a silent show of support.
Dorian and Royce, who had been silent until now, exchanged a glance before Dorian, the taller of the two, leaned forward. His deep voice broke the quiet tension. "You’ve got the right idea, Kalem. Heading to Westhound will help you avoid Redom, at least for a while. But to really capitalize on that double XP perk you both share, you’ll need more than just quests in Westhound."
Royce, with a calm yet authoritative tone, chimed in. "We know a couple of quests that can give you a serious boost in levels. One of them is a raid on a forgotten temple just outside of Westhound’s border. It’s been untouched for a while, and the enemies there will drop good loot and plenty of XP."
Dorian nodded. "The second quest is even better. There’s a hidden dungeon in the oceanic kingdom of Misthawk. It’s been locked for years, but rumor has it the entrance was recently rediscovered. You’ll need some serious elemental magic skills to get through it, though." He gave a pointed look toward Shyri, acknowledging her elemental abilities. "That dungeon is loaded with rare gear and a ton of XP. With your double XP perk, the boost would be... substantial."
Kalem's eyes brightened with a renewed sense of purpose as he listened to them lay out these potential opportunities. Shyri, sensing his excitement, nodded in agreement, already considering how they could leverage these quests.
Alesia, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the room with authority. "Westhound is definitely a smart move," she said, her tone measured but approving. "But as Dorian and Royce mentioned, if you want to truly maximize your XP, you’ll need to be smart about your alignment. Right now, you’re on the run, and Redom has put a target on your backs."
She leaned forward, her eyes sharp and calculating. "You’ll need to establish a neutral alignment not just with the King of Westhound, but also with the Queen of Misthawk. The Queen controls much of the oceanic trade routes and has strong ties to Fireguard’s northern border. Aligning with her will keep you under Redom’s radar for longer, and it will give you access to the quests in Misthawk, where you’ll find some of the best leveling opportunities."
Alesia paused, her gaze intense. "It won’t be easy, though. Both rulers are very particular about who they trust. The King of Westhound is more pragmatic, but the Queen of Misthawk is... less predictable. You’ll need to prove your worth to both."
Shyri and Kalem exchanged glances, a mixture of determination and anticipation flickering between them, with the information Dorian, Royce, and Alesia had given them, they now had a direction—and a chance to not just survive but thrive.
"Thank you," Kalem finally said, his voice steady. "We’ll take these quests, and we’ll work on securing those alliances. With any luck, we’ll be strong enough to face Redom by the time he catches up to us."
Alesia gave a faint smile. "You’ll need more than luck, Kalem. But you’ve got potential. Just don’t waste it."
Kame, sensing the tension thickening in the room, suddenly threw her arms up and shouted with a grin, "Alright, enough with all this serious talk! Where’s the food?"
As if on cue, the door slid open, and a procession of waitstaff entered the VIP room carrying an impressive array of sushi platters, each more elaborate than the last. The table quickly became filled with colorful assortments of fresh fish, rolls, and intricate dishes. The mood in the room immediately lightened, and even Alesia’s composed expression softened.
Shyri, meanwhile, glanced at Kame in surprise. Despite the intense and serious conversation they had just had with Alesia and her two formidable guards, Kame seemed completely at ease, relaxed, and unbothered by their presence. There was a carefree confidence in her that Shyri couldn’t help but admire—and be curious about.
After picking up a piece of sushi with her chopsticks, Shyri turned toward Alesia, a question forming in her mind. "How did Kame get so high in your guild?" she asked, her tone genuine. She couldn’t help but wonder how her friend, who could so easily break tension with a joke, had ascended to such a high rank in one of the most powerful guilds in the game.
Alesia smiled slightly as she glanced at Kame, who was now grinning wider, clearly pleased by the attention. "Kame’s... unconventional, to say the least," Alesia said, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "But she’s also one of the most skilled players I’ve ever met. She doesn’t just think outside the box—she destroys the box completely. That kind of creativity is invaluable in a guild like Iron’s Hand."
Kame, still grinning, waved her chopsticks playfully in the air. "Told ya I was awesome," she teased, winking at Shyri. "But seriously, I just play the game my way, and I guess it worked out."
Alesia continued, her gaze returning to Shyri. "It’s not just her skill, though. Kame has a way of bringing people together, making them feel like they belong. That’s important in a guild as large as ours. It’s easy for people to get lost in the crowd, but Kame makes sure everyone is heard."
Shyri looked at Kame, now understanding a little more about her friend’s role in the guild. Kame wasn’t just good at the game; she was good at bringing people together, creating a sense of camaraderie even in the face of serious challenges.
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Kame leaned back in her chair, looking quite pleased with herself. "Yep, I’m basically the heart of the guild," she said with a smirk. "And also the best sushi eater here, so let’s dig in!"
the atmosphere in the room had completely shifted. The once thick tension was now replaced with laughter, smiles, and the clinking of chopsticks as everyone dug into the vibrant spread of sushi. The plates were passed around, and colorful pieces of nigiri, sashimi, and intricate rolls vanished as quickly as they arrived. Drinks were poured generously, the clear clink of glasses adding to the jovial ambiance.
Kalem sat back in his chair, a soft smile on his face as he watched Kame dive into another plate of sushi with an enthusiasm that was contagious. Even Alesia, who had started the evening with an air of composure and authority, now wore a relaxed expression, her lips curving into an easy smile as she conversed casually with Shyri about the game and their future plans.
Dorian and Royce, Alesia’s right and left hands, who had initially seemed like silent, towering figures of intimidation, were now joining in the light conversation. Royce was recounting a funny story from one of their guild's dungeon raids, gesturing animatedly with a piece of sashimi halfway to his mouth. Dorian, though more reserved, chuckled occasionally, clearly enjoying the laid-back vibe of the meal.
Shyri, who had been feeling the weight of everything just moments ago, felt herself fully relax for the first time in what felt like ages. The tension she had carried since the dungeon, the encounter with Redom, and even the unexpected invitation to this meeting seemed to melt away as the room filled with the sounds of contentment and camaraderie. She smiled as she sipped her drink, glancing over at Kalem, who caught her gaze and gave her a reassuring nod.
Kame, ever the life of the party, leaned over to Shyri and nudged her playfully. "See? Told you it’d be fun. You don’t have to be so serious all the time," she teased, popping another sushi roll into her mouth. "And besides, the more you relax, the better we can plan our strategy against Redom."
The group shared stories, laughs, and playful banter, their shared goal of defeating Redom feeling less daunting now that they were together like this. The heavy weight of their earlier discussions had lifted, and for a moment, it felt like they were just a group of friends enjoying a night out, not players fighting for survival in a complex virtual world.
After a few hours filled with laughter, food, and strategic discussions, the group had crafted a comprehensive plan to help Shyri and Kalem reach at least level 70 before facing Redom again. Each guild member contributed ideas based on their experiences, suggesting various quests, training grounds, and potential alliances that could expedite their leveling process.
Shyri listened intently, her mind racing with possibilities. The thought of leveling up significantly before their next encounter with Redom was a relief. But as the conversation shifted to the details of their strategy, another thought lingered in her mind—the hooded assassin who had taken her parents. He was still out there, somewhere at the far edge of Westhound, and his strength was formidable. She knew that if she could reach level 70, she’d be better equipped to confront him as well.
While Kalem discussed the importance of building their skills in specific areas, Shyri’s thoughts wandered to her quest for revenge.
Kame caught her distracted expression and nudged her playfully. "Hey, you okay? You look like you’re a million miles away," she said, a knowing smile on her face.
Shyri blinked back to the present, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking about everything we have to do," she replied, glancing at Kalem. He was animatedly discussing potential quests with Alesia and her guards, his passion for the game evident in his every gesture.
"Well, we’ve got a lot ahead of us," Kame said, leaning closer. "But you and Kalem will crush it. Just remember, we’re all here to help."
Feeling a rush of gratitude, Shyri nodded
As Shyri and Kalem left the sushi restaurant, the evening air felt crisp and fresh, a stark contrast to the heated discussions and laughter they’d just shared. Kame waved them off with a bright smile, already chatting with Alesia as they prepared to leave in style. Shyri felt a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling in her stomach; the day had been a whirlwind of new friendships and strategies.
Walking side by side, Shyri and Kalem headed toward the school’s bus stop, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet night. The conversation between them dwindled, both lost in their thoughts about the upcoming challenges. Shyri occasionally stole glances at Kalem, appreciating the way the streetlights illuminated his features, casting a warm glow around him.
When they reached the bus stop, they boarded in silence, the hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the bus creating a comforting atmosphere. Shyri settled into her seat, feeling the weight of the day settle on her shoulders. Kalem sat beside her, his expression contemplative as he stared out the window.
The ride back to school felt longer than usual, with only the sound of the tires rolling against the pavement to fill the space between them. Shyri could sense a mixture of anticipation and apprehension in the air. She knew they had a monumental task ahead of them, but she also felt a growing connection with Kalem that she couldn’t quite articulate.
As they arrived back on campus, Shyri stepped off the bus and headed towards the fountain, a serene spot she often visited to clear her mind. The water sparkled under the moonlight, creating a tranquil ambiance. She took a seat on the edge, her legs dangling slightly above the ground, the cool breeze brushing against her skin.
Kalem followed her, leaning against the fountain with a thoughtful expression. "This place is peaceful," he remarked, glancing around. "It’s nice to take a breather after everything."
Shyri nodded, grateful for the moment of stillness. "Yeah, it feels good to just... be here for a bit," she replied.
Kalem knelt beside Shyri, gently taking her hand in his. The warmth of his grip sent a comforting tingle through her, and she found herself captivated by his gaze, which held a sincerity that made her heart flutter. The soft glow of the moonlight illuminated their faces, casting a silver sheen that made the moment feel almost ethereal.
"You know," Kalem began, his voice low and earnest, "the first time I saw you, it was like you lit up the entire library. The morning glow shining on you made everything else fade away." His eyes sparkled with a mix of admiration and something deeper, making Shyri's breath catch in her throat.
"I'm really glad we’re going out this Saturday," he continued, his thumb gently brushing against her hand. "Even though it's still a little ways off, I think it’ll be nice to take a break from all this chaos."
Shyri felt a rush of warmth at his words, a mixture of shyness and excitement bubbling within her. "I’m looking forward to it, too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But we shouldn’t lose sight of what’s important right now," Kalem said, shifting slightly as he met her gaze more intently. "We need to get as strong as we can. Playing together whenever we have the chance will help us level up
Shyri nodded. She squeezed his hand, a silent agreement forming between them. "We’ll train hard and make sure we’re ready for whatever comes next," she said, her confidence building with each word.
Kalem smiled, In that moment, amidst the quiet of the night, they both understood the bond they were forging—not just as allies in the game, but as something much deeper.
Kalem stood up, he gently pulled Shyri to her feet, their hands intertwining naturally. The warmth of her grasp sent a flutter through him as they walked side by side, their steps in sync. The evening air was cool, but the connection between them felt electric, each glance sparking something deeper.
When they reached her apartment, Shyri turned to face him, a soft smile on her lips. "Thanks for walking me home," she said, her voice laced with genuine appreciation. Before he could respond, she leaned in and pressed a quick, unexpected kiss on his cheek. The warmth of her lips lingered there, and her touch sent his heart racing.
"Goodnight!" she said brightly, opening the door and slipping inside. Kalem stood frozen for a moment, the sensation of her kiss still fresh on his skin. His heart raced as he touched the spot where her lips had met his cheek, a mix of surprise and delight flooding his senses.
After a few moments of collecting himself, he finally turned and walked back to his dorm room, a smile spreading across his face. The cool night air felt different now, filled with possibility and the lingering warmth of their shared moment. As he reached his room, he couldn’t help but replay the kiss in his mind, his heart swelling with excitement.