//** Continuation of chapter 13. (From 13.1) **//

They soon found some wolves to kill.

-need a lift to the tree?

-no, today I am on ground as well.

-hey!

-don’t worry about me and go get them…

Arata rushed at pair of wolves, and attack them in usual manner.

“Wait, dodge, counter, wait, dodge, counter”

But as he was doing just that right over from the top a pillar of fire landed on one of wolfs which he just dodged. In panic Arata jumped off to the ground and soon second wolf followed him but he was stopped on the golden electric shield.

-hahahaha.

Kotori laughed from afar. Arata quickly get up and continued the fight. Two wolfs didn’t take too much time now as Arata’s level was at 42 level, which was only 13 lower than of wolves. Also today Kotori was showing off her ability as dps. Arata once again went on defense. Her shields could hold down wolves now and it looked like she also got new spell. Five minutes and wolves were dead.

[You have leveled up by 68%]

[You have gained a level, Current level 43]

-hey Kotori say something before you do that.

-Arata you could get hit at that time you know.

-and whose fault is that?

-I was only doing what I should, which is damaging wolfs.

-it was scary when right next to me a pillar of flame comes down.

-it wouldn’t have hit you.

-I talking about the first one, why you used it so suddenly

-just testing new spells, anyway you got anything good?

-I forgotten about new ones, let me check.

Arata looked through his spell books.

[Stream of night.

Nothing is better than a simple strike, but if strike has a value of x what would happen if instead you could make 12 of them. When you use stream of night twelve-hit combo will be lunched at the enemy.

Cost: 300 Stamina.

Coldown: 5min]

[Sword enchant: Shield

You can enchant your weapons so they can withstand strongest attacks. Parrying will no longer reduce your health no matter what damage it blocks. Be wary as if you don’t have force to withstood attack you will be pushed back regardless.

Cost: 100 mana

Coldown: None]

-how is it?

Kotori asked.

-not bad, but in comparison to magic class, melee doesn’t really on spells and skills, but rather on pure swordsmanship.

-it’s a balance, if you could use your skills all day long, it would be too easy. Although I don’t think that I get that many new skills often either. Adding this new one, I have only three that can be used in attacking and rest is focused on healing. Although healing works more like a single spell in which the more mana you use the more healing you do. Then there is that healing spell I used yesterday but it eats tons of mana, and then lastly would be the buff spell that increases you hp points.

-I see, anyway we still have to kill many more wolves so let’s get going.

They then found more wolves and killed them off, it took them an hour to ding to 45th level, mostly because finding the wolves wasn’t that easy anymore, level 46 took even more as it was another two hours.

[You have leveled up by 15%]

-one wolf is now for 5%.

Arata remark it after killing another three wolfs.

-it’s normal to be like that. Normally dinging one level takes half a day. And here we only need 20 wolves for one level.

-before they gave 50%, and now it’s five.

Arata complained.

-at least they are going down fast now.

-yes but the problem is we have to find them and there are not that many left.

-all we can do is run around and kill what we find.

-in the mountains there should be some better creatures. Maybe we should go there already?

-I think that we should stick to wolfs for now. They are still nearly ten levels above us.

-if they weren’t, they would die in four no three slashes. Maybe we should just go to the mine and get done with quest already.

Arata changed his plan a little.

-weren’t we going to hunt in mountains after this?

-boss will have some super high level anyway even if we exp up we won’t get close that level.

-say that after we are done with wolves. Arata why are slacking now? Get to going.

-but it’s already boring. Couldn’t at least another white wolf come?

-he looked like some super rare monster to me and it even drop a class item for me so I don’t think that he will appear again anytime soon. But aren’t you already accustomed to leveling up. It always takes time. And I must say our levels are going really fast. Before when I was going from level 12 to 15 it took more than now.

-I wonder what happens on higher level, it probably will be even worse than that. Ah, I can’t wait to ding the max level, wait, is there any max level in this game in the first place?

-hmm, there isn’t or at least no one got it so far. But if you want to talk about higher level stuff get there first, I don’t really know that much.

-hey isn’t this game out for 2 years already. Why no one hit max yet?

-I read somewhere that best players are around 250 level or so and like in last three months that average didn’t move up at all. Well stuff like that got me interested in this game in the first place.

-maybe they simply got tired of exping.

-no, as far as I know it’s rather hard to exp up at that point. Monsters are strong. Also there are no masochists like us who would try to attack any monsters that are 30 level higher than them. It’s also impossible on that level.

-someone must have try that. It’s a good method. Definitely better than farming a million monsters just to get one level.

-you forgotten that if they do that and die, they will lose like what, 25 levels? This 10% is scarier the higher you get.

-good thing that I don’t have to worry about that.

-why you don’t have to worry about that?

-trade secret, anyway on high level I will just continue like this.

-even with trade secrets, you will still simply die. Higher level monsters don’t only have higher stats but are overall much better. Even some ninjas like you will have problems.

-I will worry about it when I get there, and judging on how fast it goes it will take a while. Ah, I just spotted another group of wolves.

-then we should get them.

Till the end of day they hunted for wolves and managed to ding up to 50th level each.

It was a first time that during the night in that forest no even single wolf howled to the moon. There just weren’t many of them left and they were afraid to reveal their position. They had some intelligence.

Dinging a level like 50, Arata thought that he will get some new spells but it was not the case.

-how could they betray 50 level mark!?

-hey Arata, look my new spell.

Kotori summoned a circle of flying water.

-what does it do?

-another healing spell run through it and your health will be restored although you will get wet. But it doesn’t take much mana and there is another use to it.

-what another use?

-you know if you are full in water and you run into electric shield you will get a great effect, don’t you think?

-so you will be healing enemies?

-no you can’t heal enemies with it. Anyway we should go for the rest.

-full day of hunting and we dinged less number of levels level than in one big fight yesterday.

-happens. And one big fight wasn’t easy remember?

-but we managed somehow, anyway I am hungry.

-me too, time to eat then sleep and tomorrow we go for mountains.

Kotori prepared a strange meal called ‘Vlight’ from Marco’s cooking book. As it was done and Arata saw it he asked.

-hey what is this thing?

-no idea, that’s why I choose it. But I sure it will be good.

-why? Marco could just write down some recipe for fun so I get food poisoned.

-don’t worry, if he gave you his cookbook, he wouldn’t have do that. Also I was the one that made it so there is no way that it will taste bad.

-you really sure of yourself.

-if you are good at something, you can be confident about it. The only time that my food tasted bad was when someone was helping me and we didn’t know what other was doing. We ended up putting too much salt and paper and forgot to put the most important ingredient because of miscommunication.

-well, let’s taste it.

Arata took a first bite.

-so how is it?

-a taste that I didn’t feel before. It’s good of course but at the same time never eating something similar, it’s strange.

-really? Let me taste it as well…

Kotori also took a first bite.

-wow, what is it? I still remember everything that I put to pot. How did it turn out like this!?

-maybe it’s a special food that can only be made in game.

-there is only one way to find out. I will make it in real later and have my dad try it first.

-better save then sorry?

-it’s not like I would blindly follow recipe without thinking and make some poison.

-you sure? I wouldn’t be that confident in my case.

-this recipe is solid so it will work. Anyway it’s really cool to eat something with new taste. Something that you never tasted before that is.

They soon finished it and Arata lay down on the grass, soon Kotori went down next to him.

-hey?

-what?

-you plan to sleep here?

-of course, it’s natural after all.

-how is it natural?

-we are couple.

-yes, but shouldn’t it be like sleeping together is after mirage or something.

-Arata, in what times do you live? Or what you are some hardcore catholic?

-not really, you are?

-no, I am atheist. I don’t believe in god, and even if he exists, he doesn’t care about us at all. Why should I follow him and pry to him every day if it doesn’t change anything.

-well if you think about it. You will soon find out that the story with god is a little suspicious.

-a kind way to say it. Also all those prayers sound more like some fanatic babbling.

-still if you cut away all those babblings there are some reason in what they say.

-I guess but isn’t it just common sense. Anyway let’s not talk about stuff like that. God doesn’t care about us and we don’t care about him. Let us go to sleep.

-but you are still there.

-ah yes, I should get closer.

She soon got so close that she touched Arata’s arm.

-make me a pillow.

-pillow?

-open your arm and I put there my head.

“… Fine if that makes her happy.”

He soon did just that and Kotori went between his arm and torso.

-like this?

He didn’t receive answer as she went asleep right away. Feeling her warm he once again realizes that they were true couple.

“What would old me thinks when he saw that? The one who kept everyone at distance. Well, all I can tell him is. Wait and when you get here, you will understand.”

The next day they woke up together and continued their exping but this time they have moved to the mountains.

After walking for some distance the snow started to fall down from the sky. Also the cold didn’t disappear even with the use magical frost resistance rings.

-it’s cold! No, not just cold. It’s freezing!

Walking and at the same time shaking Kotori said the same thing once again.

-it’s not that bad, good thing we have those rings.

-who care about the rings! What with you anyway Arata? You walk like it’s nothing.

-it’s not as cold as it could be. And those rings reduce effect pretty nicely. If you ever survived in true mountains you would understand.

-I am normal! Achu…

Kotori made a sound which could easily say that she has a cold.

-…aaah, I have sickness status.

-It’s unavoidable after all.

-If we had warm clothes it would be avoidable. We should have thought about that.

-at least we won’t catch hard cold.

-Loki said that but somehow it doesn’t seem real, small ring preventing from getting cold? Also I already have a cold. Does this thing even work?

-a small cold is unavoidable after all.

Arata didn’t have any effect of cold though.

-and where are the monsters? We have to exp up quickly and get out of here. No. Let’s ignore the monsters and for boss. Now!

-but bosses are hard.

-it’s different from what you said yesterday. Arata you want to what fight here until I freeze here to death.

-not that.

-monsters here are on level 60 so it won’t give us much more than wolves. Anyway there are no monsters here. If you still want to exp up we are better go back and play with wolves again.

-okay, we can go for boss right away, it’s not like 50 level difference and 40 level difference make any significant difference.

-you said difference to many times in that sentence, but that also true. We just have to come up with idea for him… Achu.

-so the plan is this. We move to the entrance if we find anything on the way we kill it. One two levels won’t hurt.

-they won’t help either, but sure.

They continued to go through the snowy fields. In time they could saw some monsters. They were big and white like a snow so they were hard to see from afar, founding them Kotori shouted.

-look Arata, polar bears, let’s warm up fighting them!

Now she was excited when she saw them but Arata.

-I think I pass on bears.

He had somewhat bad experience with bears that left a traumatic feeling in him.

-what are you saying? Let’s go!

-Kotori.

Arata couldn’t stop her ash she used her holy fire to pull one of those.

-you see 10% on one shot, it will go fast.

-it isn’t always that easy.

Soon where once was one snow bear. Bear after bear appeared out of nowhere.

“Aaa, that’s how it always go in unexplored places.”

-Arata good luck. I will damage from afar.

-hey!

6 bears moved his way. It was not that great number.

“Hope they are not like that one.”

Arata started to fight. To his surprise they weren’t that fast like wolves and not even close to the forest bear. Now that Arata thought about it the forest bear was even stronger than the white wolf from yesterday. Arata was not sure if it was some kind of bug that a creature like that was in that forest.

Still the polar bears given their speed should be easy to avoid but.

“They all come and I don’t have space to move”

When wolfs were fighting in somewhat funny hit and run way, the bears were get close and attack the target. To get away from them Arata needed to use black dash.

“They at least take 7% from one attack”

Continuing the fight Arata switched his Sword enchant to shield as he couldn’t dodge in snow and blocking was way more effective, although he didn’t have many chances to do it as they kept attacking him from every side and he soon needed to run. Most of dps was made by Kotori summoning her holy fire from the sky and shooting holy bolts. She also had to heal Arata much more as he kept taking damage. After the fight they dinged one level but the bears didn’t give that much more experience compered to wolves fight against them was even harder. At least for Arata. After the fight Kotori complained.

-hey Arata, why are you slacking?

-I not slacking, I doing what I can.

-I didn’t see many of your dodges today.

-they are impossible in snow.

-excuses. Still the experience was also low. We should really just get to the boss.

-I don’t like it here either. But there can be problem if we can’t damage the boss normally.

Arata didn’t want to experience another white wolf that seemed immortal at some point.

-no, bosses works a little different. We can damage them normally but they have a lot of hp, so it doesn’t look like they take much.

-I heard that for bosses you need three groups.

-but didn’t you defeat one boss alone?

-there was a boss and there was his minion, the minion was the problem.

-that white wolf was also some kind of boss-class monster and you killed it. If we have any problems you can just use that poem again and we will defeat it for sure.

-I said that impossible.

-you used it once you can do it again, I believe in you.

-you should try it instead, then.

-it’s not good to use something for the first time on the boss fight. I need to train it first.

-we will just dps it normally then. Which way it is?

-this way!

The magical compass that Kotori got from the fortune teller was showing the way. They continue to move through snow. On a way they found another bear but they didn’t attack him and it looked like the bear didn’t feel like fighting either. After some time, they arrived at the point where the only way up, was a small cliff passage. There was foothold only for one person at the time. Arata asked.

-we have to go that way?

-it’s what the compass says. Well, if we fall it’s only two meters down.

Thinking that you will fall from there at least once or twice was normal given how the way looked before them.

-now it’s two but as we continue it will grow larger.

-it shouldn’t be that much… Achu.

-you really caught a cold.

-yes, that’s why we should hurry so we can get away from here as soon as possible… Achu. Arata lead the way.

-okay I will go first.

They continue by the cliff sometime unsteady and Kotori nearly fall one time after she sneezed. But now the half of the way was behind them. But also they would have to fall down by three meters at this point.

-Arata, are we there yet?

Kotori asked the ultimate question.

-I still can’t see the ending, but there is something on the way not that far.

-what is it?

-I can’t see because of the snow, let’s keep moving.

As they continued to move they could see what the strange thing was. It was a person. Walking the same path but he was going down and they were going up and it would be hard to pass each other. He wore a long brown coat similar to Arata’s one but his also had a hood which covered his head to the point where his face was not visable. As Arata saw that he is a player he shouted to him.

-you are going down right? How long is it to the top? If it longer way than down. We can make you a way. But it would be nice of you, if we could go up first. Also if you are going down, jumping from here shouldn’t be a problem for you.

-… .

The man did not answer but instead he pushed his hand in the direction where Arata and Kotori were standing. As when he did that, they were pushed down the cliff by some unviable force.

-hey you!

The man in brown coat ignored them and continued to go along his path.

Kotori and Arata were going to soon meet the ground. They would survive four meters fall and Kotori would heal them up no problem but they would have to start over again.

It turned out that the ground beneath them was not a solid hard ground but an ice lake. When they landed on its surface the ice broke and they both fall inside the water. Arata and Kotori knew how to swim so drowning was not a problem and they quickly made it back to the top. They get out from water and Arata started right away.

-come Kotori! We can still get him. We have to teach him some good manners!

He was ready to pursuit the person that made them fall but soon Kotori stooped him.

-Arata, are you crazy?! We are soak, right in the middle of snowy mountains.

-we can’t just leave him alone for what he did.

-Arata, leave it! Achu, achu. We have to find a place to hide… Achu.

Arata right away give up seeing Kotori coughing even more.

-sorry for that. I think there was a cave somewhere, so that should do.

-achu, achu. Lead on.

They soon found the cave and as they entered it, they found some wood inside as if someone has camped there not too long ago, but there was a huge problem.

-achu, Arata, I don’t think I can stand anymore. Also my sickness status is really bad right now.

-Kotori you okay? Anyway we should get off our clothes for now.

-no need, in game the clothes get dry on their own so we don’t have to, achu. We also don’t have anything to change into… achu, so… achu.

-Kotori?

-Arata, catch me.

While saying that, Kotori started to fall down. Arata run up and catch her in his arms.

-Kotori, your body is burning.

-the status says high fever… achu. Standing is impossible until its ends. I can still move my hand though.

Arata quickly carried her deeper into the cave and laid her on ground.

-Kotori just lay down for now. Rather, you should just log out until the cold is gone.

-logging out won’t help. I have to eventually get over it so if I log back I would be back in same position. They shouldn’t make it so realistic, hehe… achu.

Arata was in pain seeing her like this but soon he tried to cheer her on.

-Kotori we once again slacking instead of doing the quest, why does it always end up this way.

-it’s always because of me.

-you said that. Well it happens to everyone and like we said at the beginning there is no time to rush.

-yes but there is this cold now. Then there was my being late and there was…

“Not good, she can’t go back to it now.”

-… and there was after our fight with first pack of wolves…

Arata didn’t except this and didn’t know what to say.

-Arata you still remember that moment?

Arata did remember than moment quite clearly as it was impossible to forget and because of that he decided to change the subject right away.

-yes I remember, anyway I will start to make something that is good against the cold.

-Arata don’t worry, I can talk about this.

This time however it was different.

-you won’t freak out and ignore my calls?

-hehe, that also did happen, didn’t it? But I have a reason for that.

“Reason that you want to keep inside you as you are scared to think about it.”

-everyone has something like that, don’t worry about it.

-Arata, don’t dodge the subject as its already hard enough for me…

Arata you are nice, you know. When I come back you didn’t even ask for any explanation, but you also didn’t behave like it never happened it was like you just accepted that part of me…

“That was my plan.”

-… when we first meet I behave like I did, because once I promised to myself that I would do just that if I were to meet you.

-you mean, all that hugging and first love thing?

-yes that. First love isn’t a lie though. Many girls fall in love in their idols you know.

-still they grow up from it after some time.

-I was the same way in that regard. It’s true that at first when I met you here I was simply playing around around but as we continued our journey together I started to like you as a person. You turn out to be just like I thought. Not only that, you are way better than I imagined.

-what do you mean?

-the only thing that I thought before was that you would be strong and a good player but I never really thought deeply about your personality. But you turned out to be a really good person.

-well, thank you.

-but not only that, in time of need, you always know what to do.

-you talking about extreme situations in our fights?

-not that, I was talking about my extreme situations.

-yours?

-yes, the first time was when you stopped the fortune telling as you saw me shiver. The second when I logged out and returned. You didn’t ask for anything and the last time which is now.

-but I didn’t do anything just now.

-no you were just trying to avoid the subject because you were worried about me. About what might happen if I start to tell you about it.

-it’s hard to talk about your painful experience after all. You are afraid what a person would think about it. If he will pity you, but the worse is that speaking about it makes you remember the thing itself and you don’t want to do that.

-see! Exactly this! You just understand everything without me saying a word. And that’s why I want to tell you. Because I know that you will listen and it won’t change anything between us.

“Looks like she really wants to share it with me.”

-I will listen to your story.

-thank you. I am also telling you about it as I want your help in something but for now the story… You know the cold like I am having now is really bad experience that happens to everyone. You get weak. You can’t move property. When you try to stand, your head is spinning. Your nose is plugged and eating is also hard. All you can really do is lie in the bed and wait till it ends. But you know a cold like that once saved my live…

“Saved her life?”

-when I was ten, my family was planning a vacation near the sea. But two days before we could go, I catch a cold and had a high fever just like now. We couldn’t cancel our reservation anymore. Because, it would be a waste as to not go, my father decided that he would stay with me in the house and my mother, brother and sister would go for vacation.

-those things aren’t cheap after all.

-that was what my dad was telling me when I was crying that it’s unfair that I am the only that can’t go. My mom and siblings went to the sea and had great vacations I have seen the photos. But… but they never returned.

Kotori face draw darker as she said that.

-hey Kotori maybe you should.

-no, I decided to tell you. I can do that. They have never returned, you should know what that mean. As I said the cold saved my life that day and my dad’s as well as he was staying in house with me. But my mother, brother and sister they all died.

Kotori who was already red because of the fever and had a weak voice but now she started to cry.

-Kotori that’s enough already, I already understand.

-see, you are too nice Arata, but I want to finish it. After they died, I didn’t even go to the funeral as I couldn’t face the truth. From time to time I still can’t face the truth and it ends up like it did in the forest. My mind just gets blocked. To escape from the truth I started to play games and that’s how it is for 7 years already.

-but if you can talk about it, you are doing great.

-I am not a kid anymore. I won’t cry all night in the bed. But normally I don’t talk or even think about it much as, you understand why. But I thought that I should at least tell you, you would know it eventually anyway. Also sharing it with you makes me feel better.

-I didn’t plan to ask it until you decide to tell me.

-I know but now I wanted to tell you this. Also you would find out eventually, for example if you came to my house, my dad would tell you about it even if you didn’t want to know. Of course if you were to survive first.

-… .

-hehe.

-and when will I go to your house?

-at least, when you will come to ask for my hand.

-yes that.

-hehe… achu. But we have to meet much sooner. Should it be in my house be prepared for attack from my dad the moment you come. You should bring a sword or two if you have any.

-… .

-so let’s return to the topic. I told you it because the faster the better but I also want your help in the matter.

-well, I will do anything.

-you know, I didn’t went to the funeral, right? But not only that, I also never visited my mother’s grave.

-you didn’t visit her?

-even though I can talk about it now, I still can break any moment and go blank like that time. I don’t really know why, but one times it happen other it don’t but whenever I tried to go to the cemetery where my mother is buried it was always like this.

-… .

-I want to visit my mother but I simply can’t. That is why I will try to do it again in two months on my mother’s dead anniversary and at that time I wanted you to come with me? You will have to, you know, gather all the parts that will scatter after I break and glue them together.

“I don’t know if I manage to do that.”

-couldn’t your father do that?

-I already tried many times to go with him but I always failed.

-but what difference would that be with me.

-with you I can go into deep dark forest and fight against a pack of hungry wolves. With you, I can climb the highest mountain, drown in ice-lake and freeze to death. With you, I can stay in this cave unable to move with high fever yet feel save in all those situations.

-you are overestimating me again.

-but the most important thing is that you fully understand me.

“I think that I can say it without worry now.”

After hearing those words Arata also felt that she will understand him. For the first time in his life he really wanted to share his past with someone.

-Kotori, remember that time when I told you that I live alone. The truth is that similar to your mother death, both of my parents died as well.

-… .

-they died when I was 14 and that’s also the reason that I disappeared from the game. I wasn’t kidnaped by UFO and I didn’t go to train in mountains to get ready for VR games. Well I did have some training in mountains but that’s another matter. The reason I can understand you is because all I need to do is remember what would I like to hear or what I wanted the people to act around me. It may be some cheating but now that I said that, I also feel that you understand me and I can tell you about everything.

-here, I was looking for your support when you alone need it the most.

-I already received my support from my grandpa and as you can see I stand hard on my legs. I am not running away anymore.

-running away hmm? I think I was doing it for this whole time.

-that’s not true. You want to try, you want to visit your mother grave, and you could overcome your fear and told me about it.

-but there was no fear in telling you. And me wanting to try? It’s more like I have to. If I stay like I am now, I don’t know what may happen one day. I am not as strong as you.

-I also not as strong as you think. I only like that right now because of all the support that I had. From my grandfather and other people. I also wouldn’t be able to share it with just anyone but I am happy that I could tell you this.

-only ones that share the pain can truly understand each other. You know Arata, I feel like it was destined for us to be together.

-even if it’s wasn’t, we will be together no matter what happen and I will not allow it to end.

-hehe, your poetic spirit shows once again

-you said that being honest is the best.

-I did, I really did.

They stayed in the cave together for 5 days until Kotori cold was completely gone. The moment she could move again, it was two days after first getting there, she wanted to go right away but Arata didn’t let her. There was no arguing about it as they spend those 5 days speaking to each other about their various experiences. Even it was just a normal talk those days were one of best days of their life. They talked about how they lived, how the school was and mostly what games they played and why they liked it. Kotori enjoyed the most stories about Arata’s adventures in Light in the Citadel from which she had known him. When there was no trail of cold anymore they log out making it additional two days in game time. After 7 days they once again were ready to continue their adventure. It was finally the time to finish the quest.

-okay Kotori it’s time to finish it!

After getting out of the cave and moving through the snow Arata was high spirits.

-Arata, the time to finish it long passed.

-it’s not our fault that someone threw us down from the cliff into an ice lake.

-if you would be nicer to him, he maybe wouldn’t do that.

-nicer? I was nice and all but boom and he does something like that.

-happens. Players with high level, doesn’t care about players low levels.

-still one day, I will find that guy and he will pay.

-you know, that finding someone without any informations about that person impossible. Give it up.

-not happening. Have you already forgotten why we were in the cave in the first place?

-first three days because I got sick, the other two because you were overprotective.

-as you said five days of illness,

-it wasn’t that bad, at least we could have long talks.

-we can have them anytime and without having you being sick. Anyway it’s not like I will look for him. As you said we don’t have any trace but if I ever find him, there will be justice!

“The man in the brown cloak with some kind of force push skill, I don’t know how much it will help but I will remember this.”

-Arata, focus on getting through this cliff for now. Don’t fall and this time try not to upset anyone.

They reached the cliff once more and went through it, this time without any complications.

-finally some progress, hey Kotori which way is it now?

-still up.

-by the way, shouldn’t there be some monsters here?

-even monsters wouldn’t get out during freeze storm. Ah, it’s cold again.

-it’s just a small breeze, don’t you like snow?

-I used to like snow but the older you get the more annoying it’s become.

-the quest was telling that there should be monsters and then boss but somehow none of those are here

-it’s not like NPC has to tell us the truth. They probably don’t know themselves. It’s also a first village.

-still there already was a wolf like the white one and some crazy player who throws people into lakes. I wouldn’t be surprise if some true monster were to come out now. Like an ice dragon.

-the biggest monster here is the cold. Also the rank of quest is only 9 so it shouldn’t encounter anything like that.

-quests are difficult; trust me. But you are right there shouldn’t be any dragons. Anyway something like 100 level boss monster would easily appear in the dungeon. Still we are not in dungeon but only exploring the mountain.

-on the fields the number of monsters is rather small compared to dungeon where you can easily find them.

-dungeon is after all a lair of monsters. It’s more natural to have monsters in dungeons then on the fields.

-it’s natural for fantasy world from book. But not for a game. Normally they put a monster in every corner.

-looks like it’s different here. Anyway still up?

-yes, but it’s not as high as before we should be getting close.

-still, something won’t go as planned I sure of it.

-many things already didn’t go as planned so if something else goes wrong it will do little difference. We definitely can’t complete the quest in planned time.

-we didn’t have any planned time to begin with. Although I thought we will be done by now. Still I don’t really regret that it is taking so long.

-me too.

They continued their travel through the snow and soon found the entrance but there was a problem.

-Arata.

-hmm?

-the compass shows that this is the place. Look, it starts to spin around when I move here.

-maybe it broke.

-but if I move back then it starts to point to that direction again.

-if this is the place then where is the entrance?

-I think that those two pillars mark the entrance.

The stood next to two wooden pillars which were covered half under the snow. The way between them was frozen however so it didn’t even look like entrance to anything. Arata poke it few times with sword and said.

-solid ice.

-we have to break through.

-how?

-I don’t know try hitting it with sword.

-I already did that.

-try harder.

Arata did just that. His sword went through the ice but then it stopped inside.

-it doesn’t want to come out, now.

-try harder.

After putting more strength, Arata pulled it out but he landed on the ground in the process.

-this won’t work.

-well I have another idea. We have to melt it.

-great, you have your holy fire spell so good luck.

-but I can only shot it from the top and as you can see there is no space to fire from the top. We have to find some wood and start a fire.

-no, to do that we would have to go all the way down again, we would have to use another day.

-have better ideas?

-I will melt it.

[Sword enchant: flame]

[Sword slash]

Enchanting his sword with fire and realizing it at the ice wall it quickly melted down.

-it was only one meter long so it went fast.

-hey Arata why don’t you use that skill more often, you didn’t even use it at all before. It would be helpful. Or is it another ‘super magic’?

-no it’s not and I didn’t use it because I don’t want to use it, it’s eat all my mana in one go. Well not like I have any mana spells to begin with, but I keep it as a last resource in case of emergency.

-it’s good to have an AS in the sleeve. Anyway let’s get to the boss.

-hey, now we should to wait for my mana to come back.

-we already wasted too much time. Let’s go!

-but we are going to fight the boss. Be more serious.

Arata still remembered the encounter with the wall during his fight with giant boss from kobold’s den. Kotori was too optimistic.

-we will manage somehow, oh look he is already here…

After passing now unblocked tunnel, they entered the huge cave 30 meters in space and 10 meters high in the middle. The whole cave was in white snow, blue ice and gray rocks. At the opposite side of cave a monster was sleeping.

-look at those horns.

-he is not as big as I thought what about the level?

Seeing a three meters in high white-grey monster with horns in comparison to big giant kobold he didn’t look that terrifying.

-93.

-so it’s lower than a quest givers said.

-it’s still high enough, anyway what is it?

-he is big and have white fur and those horns, probably based on yeti’s that I saw in other game. Anyway as always I go in first and you support from behind.

-well that works. The ground is also solid so you can’t complain that you won’t be able to dodge his attacks anymore.

-as long as he is not incredibly fast.

-good luck.

They started to move towards the beast. When they reached the half of the distance the yeti woke up and started to run towards them.

“He is not that fast at all.”

Seeing the yeti running toward their position Arata started to run into him as well. Kotori slowed down to stay at the back. As Arata was about five meters afar, the yeti made a small jump and started to roll in his direction.

“Wow.”

Arata jumped right and dodged it but it continued to roll at Kotori who also jumped to the right to avoid it. As yeti passed both of them he stopped and prepared another roll. Once again they moved out of his way after which Yeti changed his action and started to run at Arata.

“Here it comes.”

Attacking from the top with his fists, he attacked Arata who was jumping left and right to avoid them. The attacks weren’t small so he couldn’t dodge them in normal way. Arata’s dodge style worked well on small enemies for attack on the big ones he needed to make bigger moves, jumps and thing. Still in this case it was just seeing the attack and use fast movements to avoid them, even if his perfect small dodges couldn’t be used, Arata was still master of dodging.

Also the yeti’s attacks weren’t that fast compared to few monsters Arata already fought so he could manage. After every dodge Arata launched attacks at Yeti’s hands, the damage was about 0,5% but that was rather big considering that all he needed to do is lunch 200 hits. Kotori was firing at the same time so 1% was done by both of them. At 10% yeti moved his head down and breathed a blue breath. Seeing it Arata tried to jump back but he didn’t do it in time and soon become an ice sculpture. Yeti was trying to attack with his horn right away but frost effect wore off faster than expected and Arata dodged it, although he didn’t have to as yeti’s hands were stopped by water-electric shield combo.

“No need to panic.”

As Arata thought that and was going to attack the yeti once more the yeti once again breathed.

“Not this time”

Arata stopped the charge and jumped back but yeti’s breath this time was long range AOE attack which was a strong ice wind that pushed Arata back two meters and to the ground, Kotori also was pushed down.

But yetis attack weren’t doing much damage as both Arata and Kotori had 80% frost resist. Also with Kotori on his back, to Arata, his HP was always full as anytime he looked at it, it really was. After knocking back with breath Yeti started to roll again.

“Time to use skills”

Instead of dodging Arata just went through yeti one and second time with black dash. He had to use some stamina anyway and as long as he had enough to spare it was a good moment to do that. The fight continued and as Yeti reached 80% of his HP, he used his froze breath combo once again. Same as before, Arata got frozen and unfrozen quickly enough to dodge it. Same at 70% and 60%. Now they were soon reaching 50%.

“Okay this time I will dodge it!”

So far Arata got frozen every time by the breath. And even if this skill didn’t do much to him, he wanted to avoid it at least once. But when yeti reached 50% instead of doing the usual thing he ran to the middle of the cave and started to jump around. As he was doing it, the ice pillars from the ceiling of the cave started to fall on the ground.

-Kotori watch out!

-don’t worry about me.

As Arata was trying to dodge everything Kotori was just standing there with her magic shield over the head. Seeing this Arata started to slash down incoming pillars. Soon they ended but.

-hey Arata where is the yeti?

-shouldn’t it be in the middle. Oh… He is not there anymore.

-over there, Arata watch out.

A really fast pillar was coming his way from strange direction. It was not falling with gravity. When Arata spotted it he didn’t have enough time to dodge, Still Kotori helped him and attack it was blocked by her golden shield.

-thanks, anyway this one was faster than before.

-look over there.

Kotori was pointing up to the ceiling where Yeti was right now. He was holding one pillar so he didn’t fall down while ripping another one from the ceiling. He was ready to thrown it.

-hey!

-looks like a second phase to me…

Kotori answered seeing yeti movements. It was common in games to have change of boss patterns at some point.

-Arata another one is coming!

Arata sliced the incoming pillar in half as it came near them. This time it was pointed at Kotori, Arata run up to her and defended her.

-you don’t have to do that I have my shields. Anyway what are we going to do?

-he is 6 meters away from us all we can do is attack with range abilities.

-Arata, do you have range abilities?

-only one that eats all my mana. Unfortunately I don’t have any mana right now because someone didn’t want to wait for me to regain it. So good luck.

-I have to fight alone?

-do you see another way?

-no but it will take forever you know. I am the healer.

-it’s still better than never. Anyway the boss doesn’t have that much health and resistance. I will block the pillars so just focus on attacking.

-there should be some mechanic that will make him come down.

-while you attack him I will try to come up with one. Although, I don’t have any idea so far. Still, I don’t think you will have to finish all of his HP on your own, he should come down at some point.

-ah… .

Kotori started to fire up with her holy bolt. Still It was going bad the bolts often missed the target.

-hey Kotori you are okay on mana?

-holy bolts don’t take too much. My regeneration is now higher than the usage of them. But it’s hard to aim at him as he is moving as well. Also long range is rather hard to cast so it take more time.

-if it’s going like that, he might have run out of pillars first.

-hehe.

The yeti didn’t run out of pillars but after an hour he went down by 40%, at that moment he went back.

-took you long enough.

-I am a healer remember!

It looked like Kotori build up the frustration while trying to get the Yeti to come down.

-anyway he is back so it’s time to speed up a little.

Arata rushed at yeti which once again started to roll around. Having waited for one hour Arata stamina was full so he used black dash every time to attack while defending at the same time. After 5 series of rolls Yeti was back to hand combat. At 30% he once again used his frost breath combo about which Arata already forgotten about as it’s been an hour since he saw it last time so he once again got cough. Then the time has come for 20%.

“Not this time.”

[Lighting speed activated]

Making a fast move around the beast, he got at his back. Arata once tried the black dash through that breath but he was still frozen regardless so he now knew that he needed to avoid it completely.

[Stream of night.]

Using his skill for a first time Arata made 12 fast strikes that normally he wouldn’t be able to make so fast. With that Yeti’s HP went down fast and with another minute he was at 10%. At this moment he once again ran to the middle.

-Arata is he going to do that again?

-one additional hour, no way!

Arata ran after him and as Yeti was jumping to bring down the pillars Arata timed it correctly and jumped at him.

[Leap]

Slashing him in midair Yeti landed on the ground and didn’t move for some time. While he was lying Arata and Kotori made as much damage as possible and after 8 seconds Yeti had 4%. As Yeti stood up it started to run up to the ceiling. Arata black dashed him one more and his hp went down to 3% but he once again was in the top.

-Arata I have to do it again?

-it’s only 3% now but I can help this time.

After waiting for an hour his mana regenerated as well.

[Sword enchant: wind]

[Sword slash]

Arata lunched an arc of wind at yeti who was couldn’t dodge it as it was invisible. As attack reached him, the yeti’s hp went down to 0 and ended up being sliced up in two. Both pieces fall to the ground right after.

[You have leveled up by 250%]

[You have gained a level current level 53]

-no items!? What boss is it? Kotori did you get anything?

-only that quest item. It’s only says that it’s pretty gold crafting material.

-ah yes, I have to mine ore myself.

Arata moved to the place where Yeti was once sleeping. He already knew where to look for the ore as he had an hour to look around.

[Black ore gathered.]

While he was at it he gathered some other ore as well to pay of the greedy blacksmith. Even though it was a quest, Rodrigez still followed his shop rules and wouldn’t make that weapon for free.

-ah finally with this the quest is over.

Arata commented.

-but the boss was rather disappointing. Well there were few interesting mechanics but I expected more. In comparison, the white wolf was much harder.

-was this yeti even a boss? It didn’t drop anything. Giant Kobold was also much harder.

-looks like quests monsters work different way than the ones in a dungeon.

-maybe he was sleeping for too long and didn’t have enough exercise.

Arata joked around.

-he was trapped inside here after all. But even so, maybe he really was too lazy.

-you know this is a strange game after all and we don’t know how it works. Also it’s not like anyone could do that quest so it deserved its rank.

-the hardest part would be surviving in the cold.

-that as well, but Yeti wasn’t as easy as I don’t know, wolfs, or bears. And without our rings after he freeze me, he would crush me in one hit.

-no he wouldn’t, I would block it before it hit you.

-I see you were prepared as always. Anyway it’s time to go back to Loris.

-ah, our little adventure is finally coming to an end. It’s sad as we won’t be together alone anymore but at the same time its good that we finally managed to finish it.

-don’t worry we will have another one soon enough.

-we also can’t just go playing around like that all the time. We have a guild after all.

-I wonder how scouting went.

-they had a lot of time so maybe they found someone.

Kotori was optimistic.

-Gerald said that he is looking for 4 more.

-somehow I am sure that he didn’t found them all.

-you know that I think the same.

-for now let’s just go back but this time we don’t have to run.

With the end of their quest Arata and Kotori walked back down the mountain and then all the way to Loris to receive their rewards. It was time to meet up with their guild and see what happened with it during their absence.

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