//** Continuation of chapter 14. (From 14.1) **//

Getting out from the capsule Arthur Rain went down to the kitchen to eat something. He prepared another dish that he learned in game and it turned out that his first try wasn’t a onetime chance because it was not only eatable abut also tasted good. After that, he decided to use his time to do some practice.

Running outside Arthur spotted an familiar figure breathing heavily.

-hi there Ali, how is it going?

-ah it’s you Arthur. Well, as you see, not well.

Alice answered while breathing heavy.

-you know, the secret is the breathing.

-easy for you to say. I am already running for half an hour.

-if you have problems then take a break.

-but the problem is that they don’t help.

-speaking while running also doesn’t help.

-okay a small break then.

They sated down on nearby bench.

-so what’s up?

Arthur asked.

-nothing, I was just going to start my training.

-I thought that you have something to say if we sat here. Never mind. Anyway you know that playing EOA is a strange in a way.

-it is strange in many ways. Which one is it?

-you know, in real time we meet like three days ago or so, but for me it’s been like 15 days, isn’t it strange?

-well it is, 15 days can change much after all.

-so what happened?

As Alice was looking down a little Arthur asked her what happened.

-in 15 day you can like, get a boyfriend or something.

-well that’s possible. What did you get one?

-no, no, I didn’t even look for one.

-well I also never looked for girlfriend. Anyway what with the sad look?

-it’s not that I want one but it’s somehow sad when people around you get together, don’t you think?

-in one way sure, but you should be happy for your friends instead.

-I am but at the same time it’s still little sad.

-don’t worry about it too much.

-haha, how can I worry, just look at me.

Arthur looked at her for few seconds then he finally said.

-I am not sure what you mean.

-can’t you see how pretty I am?

-em… that is a little strange thing to say about yourself.

Alice looked down right away. She didn’t have confidence after all.

-sorry, I just tried to copy someone. I can’t do it after all. Anyway what about you?

-me?

-you worry about stuff like this? I know that you had some difficulty time in life but you look like you are okay right now. Normally people at our age think about it, and worry about it.

-like you?

-for me it’s just a little. Anyway do you worry at all?

-nope.

Arthur answered right away.

-you sure are sure about yourself. Remember that your pretty childhood friend won’t pity you if you turn 30 and come crying.

-for whom do you take me?

-well, you spend entire life on games, forgetting everything else.

-how nice of you to say that. To your information I also won’t pity you when you come crying. I also won’t be able to do that anyway.

-why is that?

-I already have the person I love.

Alice stopped for more than a second but then she started.

-that is rather shock for me.

-why is that?

-I know you for years now. You wouldn’t have a girlfriend even if the world was going to break down.

-hahaha, everyone is like that when they are kids.

-sure they are, and then they get together with girlfriends and have happy life later. But you skipped few points already.

-I didn’t skip it, she is my girlfriend.

-normally you won’t call your girlfriend a person that you love in front of someone else.

-why not?

-aren’t you embarrassed?

-it’s better to be honest. She always tells me to be honest about it.

-… .

Alice once again went quite. Before she thought that Arthur was just joking but now she realized that he was saying the truth.

-anyway we should continue with our training.

-I was going to it end so go alone.

-if you say so. Was nice talking with you, bye Ali.

Arata continued his run leaving behind Alice on the bench. She could no longer follow him anymore as she didn’t know how long she would hold it within her. She didn’t want to show her emotions to her friend who just managed to recover. She didn’t want to cause any problems for him. He found someone he loved. She should be happy about his happiness. Still she could not hold the tears that started to pour from her eyes.

Logging back to the world Arata found himself back on the hill where he logged out last time. There were Loki and Kelly siting in silence, they were eating bread. Loki welcomed him.

-ah Arata you are here.

-yep, just logged back.

-as you can see more than a day have passed but Gerald is still not here.

-he probably took a break or something.

-this or he found a new member, although that seems unlikely, anyway want some bread?

-I should eat something sure but I won’t be eating bread here.

-it’s not like you can buy here anything good. But just wait till you get to some other cities. You will find many great foods that don’t exist in real world. Although I know some people tried to make it in real with success. Anyway you really have something to look forward to.

-for now, I will just make something here. You also want some?

-you have cooking skills? That’s nice. Normally people don’t bother with it. I am the same but if you are making something make additional one for me.

-sure, you also want one Kelly?

-I don’t except much but sure it will be better than bread.

-why do you have such low expectations?

-experience. Normally player dishes are not that good, because as with everything else there is no instruction for it.

-I have cooking book so it will do for instruction.

Hearing this Loki said.

-cooking book? Where did you get that? It’s not here definitely. Did you get that in city of beginners?

-yea, anyway soon I will change your minds about player’s cooking.

After 40 minutes the dish was ready, it was pasta with sauce, everything made out of materials that Arata bought inside the village. The three of them started eating.

-not bad, right Kelly?

Loki commented but somehow he wasn’t really excited about it in comparison to anyone else who eat it before.

-well considering that it’s all low level ingredients, he did better than most players.

Kelly also praised him in a way.

-somehow I expected a different reaction.

-no, it’s really good. The only problem is that we compare it to the other food that you can find in the game. Once you eat the dish from highest level materials, everything else will lose its former taste. It’s rather a curse actually. You won’t feel anything from normal food anymore. Still Arata you did good job.

Loki commented.

-yep, I look forward to your progress. The food taste also depends on cooking skills so when you level up with better ingredients you will make better things. But you can be in charge of cooking for now.

Kelly added.

-I can cook when I feel like it but don’t except me to answer everyone demand. Speaking of everyone, where are they?

-logged out. Anari, Zen and Odin were on hunting for few days so it’s normal. I think that you and Kotori also were busy so she must be resting as well. Right, Arata how was the quest? You have been out for a while.

Loki asked.

-last boss wasn’t as hard as I thought he would be. There was a pack of wolves that we meet before getting there though. That fight was much more dangerous. As for the somewhat long time, well we had some complications.

-well, as you can see, we still looking for members although if you came back three days ago we would stop it already.

-our longest break was when Kotori got sick and we stayed in cave. Nothing could be done about it.

-rings, didn’t help?

-if you end up swimming in ice-lake nothing will help.

-ice-lake? You know I did mention an ice-like but it was more of a joke.

-well, we ended up falling from a cliff there right into a frozen lake.

-can happen to anyone I guess. But how did it happen?

-we were going through narrow cliff in which only one person could go at one time. Everything was going fine until we came across a man in a brown coat who was using the same cliff but he was down. Without saying anything, he threw us down and we ended up in lake.

Arata explained.

-that’s not very nice of him, but different people walk around the world. Did you get him after that?

-Kotori was already sick before we fell to lake. After that it got only worse. We couldn’t go after him even if we did, this guy looked high level so we would just end up dead.

-well it’s good that you choose the right course of actions. By the way, How did he throw you down? You should at least be able to make him fall as well in those conditions.

-well, he just waved his hand and we were already falling down.

-wave his hand? Hmm… hey what do you think Kelly? He said brown coat.

Loki asked.

-I never seen that person you just thought of, ask Gerald when he comes.

-why do you have to ask Gerald about it?

Arata didn’t understand so he asked.

-nothing it just the guy you meet may be someone that Gerald know, that’s all.

-who is that guy?

Arata already swore the revenge and if there was an occasion to get any lead on the guy he would take it.

-I only heard about him, well he is what to say a legend in the game.

-a legend?

-yes, there is a legend about a player who passed 300th level barrier. Just so you know, right now high level players are around 250-270 and it’s like that for a few months already, no few years in game time. Then, there are few people above 270 and you can even count people who are above 290 but 300th level barrier is a different thing.

-why do you call it barrier?

-right I have to start from that…

Loki continued to explain.

-getting from level 99 to 100 and 199 to 200 is a little different than normal leveling up. The same is on level 299-300 although there are not many people who took the last challenge. We will talk about those barriers at some other time. Anyway as far as the legend goes, there is one person who passed 300th level.

-the guy who threw us down? What would he be doing here?

-the description fits, a man in a brown coat walking alone and when spotting someone he quickly removes them from the way but not killing them. And his push is also somewhat his signature move.

-and the name?

-Gerald called him Hermit as he doesn’t involve with people too much although maybe it’s really his name, he could choose it for his nickname after all. The legend itself doesn’t even say who it is to begin with. Still there is no much use to talk about him. But if it were really him that put you down from cliff you will have to give up on your revenge.

-I don’t care about it anymore and it didn’t turn that bad, although if I happen to meet him later on I will ask for a rematch. Still, when we are at it can you tell me more about the higher level power structure?

-sure, pass level 200, the number of players is rather low in comparison to all other. It’s still large enough but not as much as 0-99 or 100-199 which goes in millions. It’s hard to fight monsters alone at that point no matter the skill and when you die you lose at least 20 levels. Most people are already in a guild at that point, that’s also one reason why we search for new players here. I will just add that luckily when you die, you don’t have to repeat the barrier challenge again if you fall below 200 that is and the challenge is rather hard thing I must say.

-so this game is an endless exping?

From what Loki said, even though there were some barriers there was no cap level in EOA.

-you may look at it this way but does games with max level are really better? On higher level you are doing like what? Going to same dungeons over and over again? Battlegrounds, Raids. On low level you can also do that and the best thing about exping is exploration. Main feature of EOA is for you to explore the world and have a unique adventure. I think it’s all comes down to it.

-well exploration is great point, but how for example you choose best guild if you don’t have end game content?

-we just have to be more famous than other guilds and when needed, beat those who want to compete against us. That all there is to it, I guess.

-great plans for our small guild which has eight people.

-numbers are not that important.

-I am not sure about it.

Arata was septic about strongest guild thing from the start. Loki continued.

-it’s not like we will become strongest guild in one night, it’s a long time consuming process but we will get there someday.

-you start to talk like Gerald.

-no, I just have same opinion as him.

-so what are we going to do right now?

-you are going to explore a world and enjoy yourself while leveling up. Also it’s not like we will take you by hand forever. Gerald said that we will do one big thing as a guild then you will scatter around the world. After some time passes we will get back together and then seriously think about it.

-Loki!

Kelly interrupted him.

-ah, I shouldn’t have revealed that yet, don’t tell others.

-its fine by me. Still, is it really that good of the idea for you three to stay in this village rather than exping up? The other players may be running away with their level now.

Arata commented. After all, right now while Gerald, Loki and Kelly were playing around in Loris, there were probably many people getting more levels every day.

-I don’t think so, I am sure that so called high level won’t go up anytime soon. Especially now.

-why?

-there is a war right now. Two strongest guilds are fighting each other, their players keep dying and the level goes lower. Then those few who have reached 299 level, fail the 300th level barrier and lose 30 levels. Failing means dying. Also, from 100 level, leveling up doesn’t give much stat like under 100 so it makes no difference.

-pvp is also quite hard here I guess.

-pvp is same as everywhere. You fight against others and how hard it is depends on your opponents. Rather than hard it’s hardcore as normally you don’t lose that much in normal game. This 10% loss is harder every time you level up.

Loki continued to explain.

“Good thing I don’t have to worry about it.”

They stayed on the hill. They didn’t do much just waited there talked about stuff. Soon Zen, Odin and Kotori logged back as well. Anari followed few hours later.

-hey, Anari how are you doing?

Arata asked her as she logged back but she just nodded her head and sit down on the grass. She looked sad or rather really depressed. Kotori went to her. They talked together for some time. Arata didn’t hear their conversation though.

-we are bored here so I say we should start that tournament after all.

Zen started at some point. Although previously Arata was eager to join, right now.

-the more I lay here, the less I want to do anything.

-Arata, I am the same I could lay here all day, but we should do something! Tournament is good idea as we can’t go anywhere. We still didn’t finish off our fight.

-ask someone else I don’t feel like it.

-hey! Someone wants to try?

Anari and Kotori were still talking, rest didn’t move an inch. Arata was lying on the ground looking up on the clouds. Odin was sleeping for some time now. Kelly just looked in the distance not moving. Loki was smoking a cigarette while looking at the clouds. Zen was trying to wake them up and do something but his effort was fruitless. In the end he did the same as them soon after and landed on the grass.

Time went on. The time was around 17 already when they heard a familiar voice.

-everyone, be happy as your glorious leader has returned!

-hello… .

-hey… .

-hi… .

Gerald was in high spirit but everyone replied to him without much energy. Some were asleep and didn’t reply at all.

-it’s not good to sleep all day you know? The sun is still up! Don’t waste this beautiful day!

-we wouldn’t be doing that if you hurried before.

-oh I have a good reason for that, Loki look.

Gerald presented a girl who came with him. She was not too tall and she looked really young around 12 years old or so. She had short white hair, well short for a girl. Her eye color was blue. She also had white sword sheathed on her back. It was Katana model to be exact. On the other hand in comparison to her unique weapon and hair, her clothes somehow didn’t fit her. They were too big for her and looked plain and were in grey and brown colors.

-oh, you found someone? Good job.

Loki commented.

-well technically she is not yet a new member, but she passed the test.

-is there a problem then? Did we have something like age limit?

-no, no, there is no problem. All I have to do is have Arata to fight her.

-why me?

Arata stopped daydreaming and asked.

-she said that she will join if she sees that another members are also good enough to pass the test, because she thinks that the test is impossible for normal people.

-because it is. So she is also abnormal?

-no, no, don’t worry about that. Although she may seem little different as she is from Japan.

-well she does have Asiatic face after all. But does she speak English?

-now that I think about it I only talked to her in Japanese.

-you know Japanese?

-I wouldn’t say I know it well but I can speak with someone using simple words, although I can’t write and read their alphabet. I learn how to communicate in Japanese from someone whom I used to live with.

-I guess speaking is good enough. Anyway ask her if she speaks English.

-Yuki-chan wa eigo de hanashimasuka?

Gerald said something to Yuki in a language that Arata did not understand.

-hai, hanashimasu.

Yuki answered with a cute voice of someone her age.

-she says that she can. But anyway, before we go anywhere farther, she first wants to fight someone from our guild so Arata go get to it.

-why me?

-it would be unfair if I were to fight her, wouldn’t it? Also you two are both swordsman’s so it should be a good match.

-but if she only passed the test she should be around 30.

-and your level is?

-54

-then there is nothing to worry about. She has 37 right now.

-37 is a lot after whole instance.

-she was in the same place you were, and you took only half of exp from there.

-yes but even if I didn’t, it still wouldn’t make huge difference two three levels more is what I would get.

-well she was 35 at the moment when she was going for boss, and after the boss she got 37.

-wait! She defeated the boss? The big one with a hammer as well?

-haha, funny isn’t it. Anyway as you can see you don’t have to give her a head start, or rather if you don’t take this seriously you will get owned… Yuki-chan! Arata wa guild no memba desu. Anata wa kare o koroshitekudasai?

-hai, kare o koroshimasu.

-hey what did you say?

Arata asked.

-I only asked if she will kill you.

-hey!

-sorry, my Japanese is poor to begin with and I forgot a word so I just used what I remembered.

-use the English them.

“Although I think it was exactly what you wanted to say.”

Arata could see through Gerald’s intention.

-where is the fun in that. Anyway you won’t let some low level kill you, right?

With this argument Arata could not say anything else.

They went down the hill and prepared for battle. The girl slope before taking out her Katana.

“Should I really fight a kid like that?”

Arata looked at her thinking that. Her height was even lower than average 12 year old kid.

“Somehow it’s hard to believe that she defeated the boss. Still from certain age, how one fight isn’t determinate by their age. Well, for now I will see what she can do.”

Arata decided to first test his opponent but Yuki moved in first. After two fast steps which closed a distance, she pierced forward with her katana. Arata was not fully prepared for it so he moved back rather than dodging. She didn’t give him time for breath and continued without stopping this time with attack from the ground upwards. Arata blocked this one with left sword counterattacked with other horizontally from the right. Yuki crouched down and avoided the slash.

“Not bad or rather…”

He didn’t have time to think as Yuki quickly moved to his left and once again lunched an attack. This time Arata used his specialty and dodged it by hair. It was one of moves that he learned from his grandfather. It wasn’t a part of sword fighting but rather material arts in general. Still it worked with swords as well.

Even though he should be the one to counter attack now, Yuki followed him his move and was once again on his left. She made low horizontal attack on his legs, Arata jumped up to dodge the low slash. In midst of momentum, sword changed its trajectory and started moving up. Arata spin in the air and blocked it again. He then landed on one hand while still holding sword in it. He had no time to go back and from this position he had to block another slash. He couldn’t block it completely and he got small scratch on left side of belly. Still afterwards, he pushed back Yuki’s sword and get back on feet. While he was doing it he lost Yuki from vision for a second. Another slash come at him. Arata saw a white sword a second before it hit before his eyes. At the same time, he was trying to move from its way and block it. With it the attack made just a scratch on the right cheek. Not bothered by it, Arata pierced with his free sword but it was clearly dodged by Yuki. Right after that dodge, she jumped back two times making a distance of two meters between them.

“That little girl is giving me such hard time. I should stop thinking about her like that long ago though.”

Arata moved forward and slashed with both swords horizontally. Yuki stepped back to dodge it and right away after swords moved from the front she closed in and pierced forward. Arata spin on right foot and counterattacked. Two attacks were made by him by it but before first one lunched, Yuki already moved away to save distance. Also the pierce attack she made left another scratch this time on Arata’s arm.

“Even though I attack I still can’t really attack her for real, she is a child after all.”

That child was giving him a hard time right now but he still couldn’t fight on 100%. She was coming at him again with a pierce attack right into his heart. Arata made a millimeter dodge to left. The white sword passed right before him. Arata made a counter attack Yuki dodged it and once again move away. But then after that she said.

-please fight seriously.

“Hey, I don’t slack of right now. Rather than me not fighting seriously it is her who fights way too seriously. I mean every attack is with intends to kill aiming for a vital point. Who taught her to fight like that?”

Nowadays swords fights or material arts weren’t used in wars or for killing. It was now a sport. There definitely were cases where it was not true but now killing was all about pulling a trigger or big explosions. Arata was never taught to use his abilities to kill someone.

“On the other hand in game you are encouraged to do it. In this world fighting shouldn’t be classy but rather effective. Killing opponent is your main goal.”

Arata once again looked at the girl before him.

“Still I can’t bring myself to attack her with desire to kill, no matter how I look at it. I already managed to kill few players on the way to Loris but they were not 12 years old girl! Although now that I think about it 12 years old girls who are good with swords are strong, ah that brings back some painful memories. Still, no matter what I can’t attack her but this shouldn’t be the problem as I was trained to fight different way anyway.”

Arata changed his position. He moved his right sword forward and his left sword backward down to the ground. From Yuki’s point of view this position had many openings. Arata could only block incoming attack with his forward sword. She would have enough time to dodge should he attack with sword from the back. Knowing this, she could think up follow up and execute it right away. Still if her opponent was not going to treat her seriously she would have no mercy on him.

Yuki rushed forward and slashed from overhead downward. Arata blocked it with forward sword. Still Yuki was pressing it down and her white sword was pushing back the other one. Still in one moment Arata stopped pressing his forward sword. With momentum both swords quickly moved down. With that slight change Yuki somewhat lost balance and bend forward a little. At the same time other sword from the back was coming at her. She couldn’t move well enough to dodge it at that moment and her sword was also out of her control in that second.

Yuki expected that it will slash through her in that second but that didn’t happen. Other sword hit the white sword in a spot near the hilt. With that strike the white sword left Yuki’s grip and was sent flying to the sky. With that action Yuki lost her balance even more and was falling forward but Arata let go of one of his swords and catch her.

“It worked out.”

Arata’s grandfather thought him techniques that focus weren’t on attacking but rather defending. Moves that make you win without injuring your opponent were also there although they were hard to pull off. Still is used correctly they brought excellent results as the opponent who did not see a move like this before would have little chance to defend against it.

-this is enough right?!

Arata shouted to the top where Gerald and the rest were watching from.

-I think so. I am really surprised that you won Arata. Looks like you got a little better than last time. Anyway what is she doing now?

Yuki was looking at Arata with eyes of admiration.

-hey Gerald how is it in Japanese “are you ok”.

Arata ended up asking.

-Anata wa daijobudesuka!

Gerald gave him the translation but it was hard to repeat it.

-what!?

-just use English she will understand.

-okay… hey are you okay?

Arata gave up on Japanese and went with normal English.

-hai daijobudesu. Onii-chan wa jasashi desu.

-can you speak in English?

-yes I can, although you may not understand all, Onii-chan.

-what does Onii-chan mean?

-Onii-chan is Onii-chan. From this day I will follow Onii-chan and learn from him.

-wait I am Onii-chan?

Gerald shouted from the top to them.

-hey Arata come back here so I can introduce her.

Arata picked up white sword and gave it to Yuki.

-here is your sword.

-kore wa katana desu.

-you said, this is katana, right?

-hai, Onii-chan wa nihongo de hanashimasuka?

-I have no idea what you just said but anyway let’s go up.

-hai.

“I wonder what that Onii-chan means. Well I don’t really care how she calls me so I will leave it at that.”

They went back to the top when they did Gerald said.

-haha, so what say you Arata? A golden egg isn’t it or rather silver.

The silver came probably from the color of Yuki’s hair.

-more or less. Anyway why did I have to fight against her, again?

-because she looked for someone to fight, and I thought you will be the best for this job. Well you took few hits but you did well enough. Anyway everyone meet our new member. Her name is Yuki and she is Japanese. She might be 12 years old but as you saw, she can fight really well. She understands English but its first time for her to use it practically like this, so don’t go too hard on her.

-hajimemashite, watashi no namae wa Yuki desu. Douzo yoroshiku.

-Yuki-chan eigo de onegaishimasu.

Gerald and Yuki exchanged few words in Japanese.

-ah sumimasen. Hello there. My name is Yuki, hope we get along.

-hey, Gerald you should stop with Japanese as well so maybe she would use English more.

Loki gave one advice. That could help a little. Still.

-and where will I find other occasion to try it?

Gerald answered selfishly.

-so it’s about your self-interest again.

Gerald didn’t bother with other comment and continued.

-with her, we have another new member. Loki, how it went on your side?

-standard.

-so we have 9 members, yupi!!!!! Now then, only one more!

It looked like Gerald was now in full spirit for the search after finding a newest member.

-hey, we talked about it already, give up the tenth one and let’s get started.

Loki disagreed though.

-but ten is good round number. Ten sounds official. Ten sounds important. The magical ten is a dream!

-do you really want to continue, how long is it already?

-fine, fine, one more won’t make that huge of a difference. Then so be it…

Gerald stopped for a second and then loudly said.

-everyone, listen up! This is first official day when our guild starts to exist! Applause!

-clap, clap, clap.

For the first time the number of clapping people was more than one.

-now here, sing it up!

Gerald showed some piece of paper then started walking to everyone so they can sing it. It was some kind of form that was used to start guilds in EOA. How it worked and where to get it Arata did not know and did not bother to ask.

While singing up Arata spotted an empty column, it was the name of the guild.

“Hmm, what was our guild name, again?”

When Gerald finished Arata brought that up.

-hey Gerald, what is the name of our guild anyway?

-oh, I thought that we should choose it together. Still, I already have a great idea for it.

-great idea? Somehow I have a bad feeling about it but let’s hear it.

Loki’s bad feeling was revealed truth as Gerald said the name of guild.

-Green Smerfs!

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

The silence was the best way to comment it.

-and the real one?

Loki finally asked.

-that’s the real one, so what do you think?

-no! Just no, okay.

There was no much to comment on this on. Gerald wasn’t discouraged though.

-it’s only your preference. I am sure everyone else like it. Okay who wants that the name to be our guild name, hands up…!

Only Gerald picked up his hand.

-you all have no naming sense at all.

-I don’t think that’s even a problem here.

-fine I confess. The truth is I just came up with it on the spot and tried to make it sound ridiculous…

Gerald said that but knowing him it was not entirely impossible that he wanted a guild name like that.

-as I said we all have to come up with it. So everyone, come up with one or two good names and we will decide which is best in 10 minutes.

-leader what name should it be?

Anari asked.

-I already gave an example, just come up with a name that strongest guild should have…

“How a strongest guild could be called Green Smerfs!.. Anyway coming up with name is always hard. Until you got used to it, you can never decide. Hmm, I will just go with Paragon as its sound good although there are many guilds with name like that so it probably won’t work but it’s something that I can at least say out loudly. It’s definitely better than green smerfs!”

After about ten minutes Gerald ended the silence.

-times up! I hope you all got something. We will go with order of joining the guild. First, me. Although it’s not as good as Green Smerfs I come up with Exorcists, how does it sound?

-it’s better than before but why should we be called exorcists?

Loki asked.

-I watch a movie with exorcists few days ago so it somehow came from that.

-but there is no reason to call ourselves with something that doesn’t concern us at all. Or do you want to exorcise some ghost on the way?

-if you are that good at it what is yours idea?

-I am not good in coming with names.

-you had ten minutes tell me your idea.

-okay. I came up with Destiny.

Arata was not the only one who didn’t bother to think about it and just used something that is way overused as a guild name.

-you are not that creative, are you?

-happens ask the next person.

-Kelly, what about you?

-Yellow Smerfs.

Kelly definitely worked hard on it.

-hmm, something is missing but its close enough. I will take it into consideration on final vote. Next Arata.

Arata said his prepared answer.

-Paragon.

-hey, you know how many guilds with that game exist already. I want an original one.

-it’s much better than Green Smerfs at least.

-I don’t know from which side but anyway, Paragon is a no, next Anari.

-emmm, friends and comrades?

Anari gave an answer with unsure voice.

-okay, I see that you don’t even know what we are talking about, don’t worry I will explain it to you latter, Kotori.

-Legendary heroes.

In the end in guilds it was always like that. Everyone will complain about the name of the guild but when it comes to naming it no one thinks about it seriously and come up with worst names of all. Gerald didn’t even comment on Kotori’s one and went on.

-… Zen do you have any idea?

-Syndicate.

-okay not bad, Odin?

-Ragnarok.

-well, you would definitely fit there with nickname Odin but we are looking for something else. Ah, why isn’t it going as planned?

-we went about it a wrong way.

Loki commented.

-there is still our last hope. Yuki!

-Last hope?

Yuki repeat those words.

-yes you are our last hope.

-Last hope.

-you don’t have to repeat it just say anything that came to your mind.

-I think that she meant the name is last hope.

Loki pointed it out.

-hmm. Well I think that it’s the best from we have so far what do you think Loki?

-it’s better but all of them are ‘no’. Although Eternal hope may be better though,

-I think that at least Kelly did a good job. Anyway someone still has any ideas? I also think that Eternal hope also isn’t that bad.

-doesn’t it sound silly a little?

Kelly commented on that.

-well, now that I think about it. It does, so it’s not good. Although, it sounds better when compared to previous ones. Ahhh, I feel like we try too hard…

“Rather no one did it seriously.”

-we need some other method. New idea, give me some cool sounding words. Anything is fine. Loki you are first.

Gerald started to use desperate measures.

-cool sounding words that would fit a guild? I guess that could work. Okay let’s start with. Answer, Serenity, Guardian.

-Annihilation, Pantheon, Paradox

Odin followed with those three.

-Nexus, Blades, Vengeance,

Arata added some other names that he heard somewhere.

-Exodus, Deathscale, Crusaders.

Even Kotori gave few interesting ones.

-no it’s not it.

Still Gerald was not satisfied with any of those. Loki commented.

-it’s not that easy to name a guild, after all.

-well the name itself is not the really important. The act of giving the name is what matters.

-it doesn’t change the fact that we need the name though.

-wait, I come up with another new name.

-I hope it’s better than last one.

-well I combined some of our ideas and I just come up with Guardians of Hope.

-sure it works but I wouldn’t want to be in a guild with a name like this. Also we would end up as GOH in the end. So it’s another no.

Loki shut down yet another name.

-ah Loki, why are you always right?

-it’s somehow my job to control your crazy behavior. Anyway, can’t you get serious for one minute and think of something?

-serious?

-yes, you have to be serious from time to time.

-fine… Oh I got one.

-I just hope it’s not another color of smerfs.

-you wanted a serious one right. So what do you think about single word Refrain?

-Refrain like in the song?

Loki asked.

-there is another time where you use it in sentences like for example. ‘I refrain from doing this.’ but it is not commonly used.

Kelly added.

-exactly and we want a name that would symbolize our guild. When you hear it, you immediately think of strongest guild in EOA.

-well I always preferred one word guild name and it’s doesn’t sound bad nor it means anything bad. Okay, you can go back to your usual self.

-ah finally, I hate being serious. Hey does anyone not like it?

Gerald asked around. So far he was mostly discussing everything with Loki. Kelly said.

-it’s not a bad name so it will do.

-fine by me.

Odin also commented. Then Arata added.

-well as you said the name itself isn’t the most important. Also it’s seems you like it, so you would use the one you want anyway.

In comparison to all others Arata already grasp large portion of Gerald’s nature. But no one really had anything wrong against the so Gerald started loudly.

-from here on the guild Refrain is starting its activity!

After Gerald said that Arata got a message before him.

[You have created and joined a guild Refrain.]

Right away Arata checked the menu but.

“I was expecting something more. Some guild interface. At least list of members”

Of course in EOA there was nothing like that.

-great now it’s out of the way. It’s time for the party!

Gerald shouted.

-why do you want to make a party?

Loki asked.

-isn’t it obvious? It’s a memorial day and everyone should get to know each other. It’s also a great way to relax after all the hard work.

-well sounds good but you should have said that earlier. You can’t just throw a party like that out of sudden. Also in this remote area you won’t find things that you need for it. Party will have to wait.

-but I want a party! A party, a party! Loki, don’t be like that.

-okay voting who wants to do the party?

-well it wouldn’t be bad, right?

-parties are a good thing after all.

Kotori commented and Anari followed up.

-I think so too but. We have no music, no food and we would have to stay on this hill again as there is no good place to do it. In the end it wouldn’t be much different from what we usually did which is lying down on the grass and talk. You want a party like that?

Still with few words, Loki convinced everyone with reason. Even Gerald.

-fine, the party is moved to another time, anyway does someone still have to do anything in this town? Arata how is your quest?

-will be completed tomorrow.

-okay so we move out right after you are done.

-where are we going, leader?

Anari asked.

-it’s not like we can stay here in Loris forever. I will explain everything on the road. Anyway everyone is to take a long break now, so tomorrow you can play without reserve. We have a long way to go.

-we were already resting for some time now.

-great. So Loki, you go arrange everything and I going to sleep now.

Gerald fall to the ground and he was asleep already before he even landed.

-looks like he also was working hard, anyway what are you arranging Loki?

Arata said.

-a way for us to get to another city, it’s a long way you know. We need some kind of transport. Anyway, as Gerald just said, go for a break or something. See you later.

-we were on a break entire day, already.

Zen didn’t like the idea.

-nothing better to do I am afraid. You can do what you want just don’t go anywhere too far. Logging out may be not the worst idea. Arata, Kotori get done with quest quickly and let us all meet before the north gate of Loris tomorrow morning. Kelly pass that message to Gerald, okay?

-yea, sure.

Loki went in a way to the city, Zen soon come up with idea as what to do.

-okay so it’s time for our tournament!

-if we are going for a long journey I need to prepare some staff so I am going.

Arata commented.

-kue, kue, kue, you are running away?

-I don’t have time for tournament but I can have one round with you, it will go fast.

After Arata answered like that, in two seconds Zen had a sword right next to his neck. But it wasn’t Arata’s sword but a white katana.

-Onii-chan said that he have business to do so I will be your opponent.

-haha, finally someone who…aaaa!

Soon Zen was barely dodging a barrage of swords. When one hits was about to hit him he teleported away. Arata commented.

-Yuki, don’t get involve with his talk.

-hai, Onii-chan.

-hey, what are you doing? Don’t stop her now. I was soon going to release my full power.

-yea sure.

-what with that look of pity!?

-anyway I am going, anyone wants to come along.

-I will hang along, sure.

-okay, let’s go Kotori.

They moved to the city but soon Zen stopped them. But it wasn’t about tournament anymore.

-hey, you should take this one as well.

Arata looked back and saw Yuki’s face which was saying ‘I want to go too’. Just to be sure Arata asked.

-Yuki you want to go?

She nodded her head. Arata waved his hand signaling here to come. Before reaching the village Kotori asked.

-hey why is she following you so much?

-beats me, ask her yourself.

-hi there Yuki, my name is Kotori.

Yuki clanged to Arata and hid on the other side.

-ohayo gozaimasu.

-yes ohayo. Anyway we are in the same guild right now so we should get along. So you don’t have to hide like that.

-em… you want to be my friend?

-yes I want to be your friend! How does it sound?

-… .

Without saying anything she just nodded her head and stopped hiding behind Arata.

-good for you I guess.

Arata commented.

-just look. This cute little girl became my friend.

-you are also a cute little girl yourself.

-haha, you sure says what you want.

-I learned it from you.

Arata was not hiding his feelings in the least right now.

//**This chapter is not over. Continue to _14.3**//

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