“Come on Emerald, I said I was sorry.”

“Is the surveillance still on?”

“No...yes”

“Then your apology is not accepted. Back outside.”

Henry slunk back as the door slammed shut, leaning against the sign outside of Emerald’s shop

“I didn’t know so many people would watch.” Henry murmured to himself

It had been a week in game time, and Emerald still didn’t let Henry into the store, the only one who was allowed to go inside was a little girl named Karla. Right after the stampede into the town, a high leveled player called XxX_R1pper_XxX was trying to bang down the door with his sword, yelling about how his sister was kidnapped. He soon stopped once Emerald  picked him up by the scruff of his neck, and hurled him out of the town. He then calmed down after getting a message from his sister not to bother Mrs. Emerald.

Of course it wasn’t shocking to some, considering the ring she was wearing, but to others? Their fragile dreams were broken. There were some theories on who she really was, one was that she was an unknown expert who just started playing the game.

It was a common theory on almost every rising star or some what important person who popped into their sights.

After a while, and a whole lot of explaining, the crowd logged out, leaving only XxX_R1pper_XxX and Henry there. The two had much in common, though Henry’s level was lower than R1pper, he was more knowledgeable. As the two were chatting outside, inside the two girls were just finishing the last piece of equipment.

As the gauntlets and boots could be easily forged with Karla, the armor took more time. While they were waiting for the armor to cool down, the two worked on a dress for Emerald.

The materials were some of Karla’s, as a good game smith carries some materials with them everywhere.

After some rough sketches and ideas, the two decided on an ball gown with custom accessories. A golden tiara, crown, mask, necklace, and choker were made. The tiara had a hexagonal sapphire in the center, with two diamond shaped emeralds flanking it. The choker had a onyx gem in the center. The crown was made of gold, and would sit slightly above the head, resting mostly on the temples and back of the tiara. A silver necklace with an amethyst attached to it was the last jewelry item. The mask would cover the lower face, which was the mouth, chin, and nose. The upper body of the dress was a light purple with a blue tint in places, with the navel being revealed. The hands were to be covered with silver gloves made of a metallic mesh. The skirt had two slits in it for the legs to move, the light blue color designed to shimmer like an aurora when moved.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The reason Emerald was making such a dress was because of Karla. When Karla saw the final design for the Frozen Ebony armor looked like something royalty would wear, she demanded that Emerald make a dress for formal parties. At first Emerald was opposed, but relented, after all armor may be fine for battle, but not for formal events such as ball, plus it would be a good way to pass the time while waiting for the armor. Karla did most of the tailoring, while Emerald worked on the forging and jewelry.

Emerald doubted there would ever be a time when she wore it, but it’s better to be prepared.

“Say Karla, do you want to go get some fresh air?”

Emerald looked over to where Karla was busy sowing the last few threads on the skirt.

“Let me finish this up, then I will catch up to you.” Karla said without looking up from her work.

“Sure, sure.”

Emerald stood up, opening the door to find the two guy, Henry and R1pper, leaning on the sign she made, talking about weapon stats.

“I’m telling you, a Blade of Disheartenment is not good against tanks, the attack speed isn’t fast enough to get past their regen, and it’s damage is mediocre at best. It would be better as a one on one weapon.” R1pper stated, clearly not convinced by what Henry was talking about earlier.

“I’m saying that it’s effect would negate half of their regen, and while the attack speed  isn’t the best, it’s better than an ax or sword. Also, it’s effect, which can normally be stacked up to five times in one on one, can stack up to ten in  group battles” Henry rebutted.

“If you boys are finished arguing, I have a job for you.” Emerald interrupted R1pper before he could start talking.

“What is it Emerald?” Henry said, standing up off the sign

“Where’s the nearest city from here?”

“It’s approximately 30 km south of here.” R1pper said “I should know, it’s where I came from”

Henry put his hand on his head, sighing. “That’s where EVERYONE has to come from to get here, idiot.”

“Pfft, I knew that. So, what’s the job Mrs. Emerald?”

Emerald’s smile once again reappeared, her white canines showing, it was actually quite terrifying.

“The job is helping me move my store there, I was planing on doing it myself. However, that would weigh me down just a bit too much, so who better to ask then the idiots who are loitering around my store, scaring away business.”

Henry paled slightly while R1pper, who hasn’t been in the shop yet, said “sure, I think we would both love to help.”

“R1pper, can I talk to you for a bit, excuse us.” Henry said, pulling R1pper towards the street. “What the Hell are you doing, do you know how much stuff there is in that shop?” Henry whispered furiously.

“What it can’t be that bad.”

“Do you have any equipment that can lighten the load.”

“Yes.”

“Wear all of it.”

“What?”

“Wear it all, since you got us into this, you’re carrying most of the stuff”

The two guys turned back to Emerald, who was picking some debris in her back teeth.

“Ok, we’ll help move your stuff to the nearest city.”

“Great, I hope you’re ready for a long walk.” Emerald replied, stretching her back as she straightened out.

“”A walk?””Henry and R1pper said together.