Chapter 17 “Levi of the Silver Hand”

After finishing the dungeon it was finally the time for guild Refrain to start a fight against ‘tyranny rulers’ of Triangle, the guild Legion. Although in truth the fight already started two days ago.

The losses at the current moment right now were 30 000 people on Legion’s side and 0 people on Refrain’s side and the number of casualty kept increasing every minute. So far only two members of Refrain participated in the fight but soon reinforcements were to arrive. But were they really necessary?

-are we there yet?

Zen asked the ultimate question for a hundred times.

-about one hour left, I told you already.

And Kelly answered to him.

“Asking the same question again won’t change the answer.”

Thought Arata after hearing the same exchange once again.

-why do we have to fight anyway? If we wanted to level up, we should do that dungeon twice more. We would get to level 99 and then go for that barrier thing…

Kotori started complaining.

“Now that she says that, it’s definitely true. I don’t think that we will find any better place to exp than Stonecell. That bonus level after each challenge was really the thing.”

-hey Arata say something. You are quiet for some time now!

-what should I say?

-I don’t know. Your girlfriend is bored think of something.

-I already used all my normal topics.

-if you have any abnormal ones you can use them as well.

-abnormal is probably wrong word, I would rather say special but they can be only used when there are only two of us.

-you mean those from a cave. We spent there 5 days and even for a second I wasn’t bored. Well it’s true that we can’t talk about it here. Anyway Arata, what do you think about what I said earlier.

-well it would be better to level up to 99. All we need is just couple of levels now.

-I am missing ten, right now. Well some need more but we should do that dungeon two more times and everyone would reach 99. Also this time we would get a reward.

-but we did get something.

-yes some strange, useless, bugged item. What happened with it anyway?

-I have it in inventory. It will just lay there until someone finds a use for it.

Arata didn’t know what to do with ‘Angel’s Halo’ so he just left it in inventory. In time he will probably completely forget about it completely.

-it only takes up space throw it away.

-it’s not like there are limits to inventory.

-why do you want to keep trash item?

-because someone might find a use… Hey, Kotori.

-hmm… .

-we really are bored if we speak about that item.

-maybe but we are still in better condition than the rest.

‘Good condition to fight against boredom’. Apart from Arata and Kotori the rest inside the cart long ago died out from boredom. Maybe also apart from Zen who was at the front and keep on asking ‘ultimate question’. He was still fired up for the fight that was coming close.

-we will have a fight soon!

-can’t you see that people try to sleep here!…

Odin complained.

“We all have been sleeping for two days now.”

-and what fight? Didn’t Leader and Loki go first? It should be already over. We might just find a scavenger here and there but that’s all.

“There is a lot truth in his words.”

Just as Odin said, Arata also didn’t expect any big fights.

-Onee-chan, do you have something to eat, I am hungry.

-sorry but I don’t Yuki, apart from dry bread that is. But it’s been a while since we ate anything.

-we are all concentrated on catching up to leader and we have no time to rest that we didn’t have stop at all. All we have been eating was this dry bread.

Anari sum it up.

-without stop what other things could we ate. No time to prepare anything and I didn’t find anything in shops that would survive more than 2 days so I didn’t buy anything like that.

Kotori answered.

When Arata was looking through the shop he didn’t find anything that would taste good and be portable. There were ingredients but something that you can take out and eat was not there.

-if we are going to fight something I would at least like to fight on full belly.

-Arata can we have a break?

Anari asked.

-it doesn’t depend only on me. Hey Zen, can you ask Kelly if we can have food break?

Arata shouted so Zen who was riding at the front could hear.

-stop!? You crazy Arata! We are nearly there and you want to stop now? It’s just an hour away now.

-but you can’t win against hunger. Also our real bodies must also be hungry. So to at least deceive them, we should eat something big here.

-even so we should first…. brrrrrr… . …

A sound echoed from Zen belly. It was hearable even from a distance.

“…”

-can we have a stop please?

Zen also gave up. Cart turned right and stopped near the road. Kelly appeared behind at the back.

-I thought that you guys will never ask. If you didn’t ask I would just leave you at the entrance to the Triangle and go to eat something on my own. Anyway you are left in charge of cooking Arata, make something for everyone.

Arata got a dirty work of actually making something.

-since when did I become guild’s cook?

-you did well enough when you cooked for me and Loki, so just make something again.

-and how I am supposed to make something for 7 people. I am not that good.

-Arata, I will help.

Kotori offered her help to which Arata answered.

-it will be rather me helping you.

-see, your pretty wife will help you so there is no problem right. Don’t take too long!

“…”

Kelly satisfied with the outcome went for a walk to screech her body.

-Arata your face is red.

Kotori commented as Arata was still reflecting ‘one of the words’ that Kelly just said. He got back to normal in no time.

-you are seeing things.

-we should get started. Everyone take out anything that can be used in cooking.

Kotori addressed everyone.

-like what?

-you probably can have only some kind of meat or something…

Some meat was found in inventories of players although most were out of use already. Still it was enough.

-this will have to do, Arata you bought everything else, right?

-well I did buy most of the things that could be bought, although there are nothing new compared to the least time. Those were the same shops after all.

-so what are we making? Any ideas?

-during the ride I didn’t have anything to do so I read through most of Marco’s cooking book and found some interesting things that I want to try. Today let’s go with this.

Arata opened the Marco’s cooking book and showed it to Kotori.

-Mordarior? Another strange thing. Okay let’s go with that. But Arata!

-yes?

-why didn’t you tell me you had this book! No wonder that you stay silent for most of the time. And here I was bored to death.

Reading Marco’s cooking book was the only entertainment Arata had during five days of ride. Especially the stories near each dish were quite interesting.

-I showed it to you once, remember.

-when?

-you know after white wolf battle.

-you should show it to me at the ride!…

“I would be the one who would be bored if I did that.”

-at least I can trust that you choose the best thing that we can make right now?

-it has very good bonuses so it’s perfect before battle. Although there is one part that I don’t clearly understand.

-let’s just make it and don’t keep people waiting. I should be able to descript it.

Kotori and Arata once again created another strange dish based on Marco’s recipe. It turned out that there was two missing ingredient which Arata was sure he got but somehow they were not inside his inventory. Still because it didn’t look that important they skip that part and replaced it with something else. It didn’t take them much time and soon ‘some purple jelly looking thing’ was created. Although it should be something completely different.

-what is it?

Anari asked when she was given the plate with it.

-it’s a great Mordarior, right Arata?…

“Don’t ask me for confirmation.”

-so Anari eat up and tell us how it taste.

With a bright smile Kotori encouraged her to eat it. Somehow neither Arata nor Kotori wanted to try it. Even though they mostly followed a recipe it didn’t turn out as they though it will and it was completely different than what the image was showing. So they decided to look for the tester.

Anari took a bite and few second later, she passed out.

-… .

-… .

“Ups”

Arata looked at her with blank expression.

-hey what happened?

Kelly asked.

-em nothing, everything will be back to normal in a second.

Kotori was quick to uptake. She right away tried various healing spells on Anari even song of stars but none of that help.

-I don’t think normal spells can help with food poisoning. Anyway how did you guys create that thing? Also who normally would eat something that looks like that?

Kelly commented.

-look can be deceiving.

Arata tried to defend himself. To that Kelly answered.

-but mostly it tells the true. Eh, what are we going to do if she die and disappears? And here we nearly reached Triangle. Just look forward until Gerald hears why we didn’t come on time.

-emm, Kotori how is it?

Arata couldn’t do anything now. He could only depend on her.

-spells doesn’t work, we need something else. Is there any antidote in that poison book of yours?

-it’s not a poison book. We must have made some mistake.

-well we did change some things here and there. Happens but it’s not my fault. Kelly don’t you have any idea as what to do?

Kotori asked their last resort.

-even if you ask me it’s not like I got anything to do with healing. And it also is not a normal case… Hey don’t look so disappointed!

-I thought Kelly would for sure.

Kotori said in low voice.

-hey I am normal person, not some Omni tool like Loki or Gerald. Anyway for now we should just go and find them. They will know what to do.

-eh… .

After hearing that Kotori added a long sigh.

-what is it!?

-nothing but you just destroyed image of all female players in the game.

-I didn’t!

-you just make it like we are worthless.

-don’t be so dishearten it’s just not my expertise that’s all. Okay I will do what I can.

Kelly lifted the bow and shoot up the arrow to the sky. It exploded like firework and showed a message.

[S.O.S Someone fell due to food poisoning.]

-eh… .

Kotori looked even more dishearten and sighted again.

-what is she on again!?

Kelly pointed her question to Arata.

-you know, asking for help is not really dependable right?

-it’s more than enough!

-I don’t think that someone will come to help us though.

-it’s very valuable method it times of need. It saved me many times already.

-even if someone came it’s not like you will find better healer than Kotori in a place like this.

-aaa… .

Looks like only now did Kelly realize that.

-you forgotten about that, didn’t you?

-time to find Gerald!

Kelly gave up and moved away avoiding the responsibility.

-Arata, book.

Kotori said. Arata didn’t get it right away.

-what book?

-wake up Arata! Of course that cooking book of yours, I need to read that dish again. Where is it?

-ah right, here you go… .

Arata took out the cooking book from the inventory and pass it to Kotori who started to read it.

-so do you see anything in there?

-I don’t know, we definitely did everything right. Our changes shouldn’t have caused it. You know what, let’s make it again and see why it became like that. As far as I know it definitely shouldn’t be a purple jelly.

-you might as well do that. We don’t have better ideas.

-then first we should.

-that won’t be necessary!

The voice came from behind them and interrupted them. A person in grey cloak came out from the forest. He had short yellow hair and green eyes. His face revealed age similar to Arata.

-who are you!

Kotori shouted to him.

-I am but a simple traveler, but ah what do I see, such a beautiful lady.

The ‘simple traveler’ answered and second after a fire came at him from the sky above him. ‘The simple traveler’ jumped back and avoided it right before it hit him.

-hey what is it!?

-prepare yourself!

Zen and Odin jumped out from the cart and started running at the intruder for whatever reason.

-wait I am not…

Even though Zen and Odin were few meters away, the guest already had to avoid fierce attacks from Yuki who appeared next to him out of nowhere. Kotori also started to fire out holy bolts at him.

Arata decided to remain as the spectator.

“He is not that bad if he managed to survived this long.”

-wait I really just, a…

The man quickly took out his shield and blocked incoming arrows that came at his face but when he did that, the shield scattered into pieces. He wasn’t hit but he after the hit he fell to his the knee before his broken shield. Everyone stopped their attacks at that moment as the man started lamenting over his once to be shield.

-my shield…. After all that work, nooooo! I will be demoted again.

-don’t get fooled, attack him now!

-Kotori, take it easy. Yuki wait!…

Arata managed to control situation although the traveler was a second away flow losing his head. Yuki had a good control stopping her weapon right before the hit at the neck.

-why did you attack him in the first place Kotori?

Arata asked.

-I don’t like people like him. Coming out from nowhere and complementing out of sudden.

-what, you don’t like to be complemented?

-only by you. I already decided that anyone who tries that in this world dies. Let’s kill him off before… .

-wait!…

Kelly came out from the cart holding bow in one hand.

-what are you guys doing? I thought we were attacked by someone.

-this guy is suspicious and I am sure that it’s his fault that our food turned out like that.

Kotori explained although those were simple excuses.

-wait I didn’t do anything.

-like we would believe you. Let’s just kill him. We have other things to worry about… -

-stop it. Arata can you control her somehow.

Kelly interrupted her.

-Kotori, what’s wrong?

-nothing is wrong with me. You should ask that guy instead. Coming out from nowhere with something like beautiful lady. In what times does he live? What is he? Some knight wannabe who read too much shojo-manga? Hey you say something!

-my sister forc… no told me, or rather advised me to speak like that.

The man answered.

-that’s really pathetic excuse you know anyway don’t talk with me ever again.

-give him a rest Kotori. You are from the silver hand, right?

Kelly asked. The man surprised answer.

-I am. How did you know?

“Silver hand?”

Arata for the first time heard this name. At least in EOA.

-I saw a mark on your, already destroyed shield.

Kelly explained.

-my shield!

The man to his agony after hearing it.

-ah yes sorry about that. Well at least you didn’t die, if you got hit by that arrow you wouldn’t stand here anymore.

-well it’s not over yet I should be able to repair my shield, I guess.

The man got all the pieces together. Then a circle appeared underneath the shield. Yellow mark formed a shape of a clock. Hand on the clock went back by five minutes back and then shield became… .

-why is it still broken?

The man said out loudly.

-well… those weren’t normal arrows so spell like that won’t work on them.

-impossible. No one in this part of world should be able to do something like that. Who are you anyway…

The man looked up to Kelly.

-those are… wait you are an elf. Didn’t thought I will see any here. Right I also have to add you are beautiful lady.

-stop it kid, you are 100 years too young to start up with me.

Arata and Kotori started to whisper to each other.

-see Kotori. That is how you should take complements.

-you think so Arata?

-at least you shouldn’t holy fire him right away.

-he appeared at wrong moment and I don’t like people who talk like that on first meeting.

-from where I see it, he lost in a bet and now is forced to speak like that. That is because it really doesn’t fit everything else he says.

-you could say that he is honest, not like some twilight swordsman that I know.

-what you want me to behave like that?

-definitely no! The way you are is the best.

-so where that sarcasm come from?

-it’s because you never take initiate… No! Don’t change at all!

-so what is it in the end?

-nothing!

“What is it again?”

-wait you still think about ‘that moment’, don’t you? So, do I still never take initiate?

-stupid.

In the meantime Kelly continued questioning

-so you are saying that you came to help?

-yes, I saw a signal and I thought that I can help somehow.

-you have any useful skills for food poisoning?

-I have something that can help with any injures. Food poisoning should also be counted in it.

-well, then give it a try.

The man in grey cloak come to where Anari was lying and did similar thing like he tried with shield. Even though with a shield it didn’t work.

Arata and Kotori come closer to Kelly. Arata asked.

-hey is it really save to leave it to him?

-you are okay, already? Why are you smiling like that?

Kelly however asked Kotori first.

-Arata is good at repairing my mood.

Even though from words context it didn’t look like it, their little talk did help her mood in a weird way.

-anyway he is from Silver hand so there shouldn’t be problems with trusting him. He is not from the Legion at least.

Kelly answered Arata’s question.

-silver hand, what is the deal with them anyway?

-I can answer your question just wait till I done.

The man answered from the back. He ended treating Anari who woke up.

-where am I?

-hello there, beautiful young lady. You don’t have to worry about anything as I saved you.

-wawa.

“I see some problems here.”

Going around saying stuff like that can be misunderstood. What the guy did later which was helping Anari stand up while holding her hand didn’t help misunderstanding either. Man walked up to where Arata was standing and started.

-now I will answer the question. Silver hand is an order that vanquish evil and bring help to those in need. You can say that we are justice itself. We are guardians of the realm.

“Then they are the bad guys.”

Arata quickly understood. Those who are saying that they are good and just, usually lie. Kelly followed it up.

-what about that time when your great order blow up the whole city and killed thousands of players and NPCs because of… how did you explain it, miscalculation?

-… justice sometimes requires sacrifices. I don’t know what you heard but even though that was unfortunate, decision of Grand Master weren’t wrong. Probably.

-so it is some kind of guild who role play in a game.

Arata summed it up.

-we aren’t guild like… .

-stop I think I will be better to explain this.

Kelly decided to put an end to it.

-as a member I definitely have greater knowledge… .

The man wanted to continued, but he was ignored and Kelly started explaining.

-in short. Kotori was about right. He and the other members of Silver Hand are group of knights’ wannabe who joined in-game police. That what silver hand order is. They are useful most of the times as there need to be some laws and someone to execute them. The only problem can be when sometimes they overdo it and cities are blow up.

-it only happened once.

-also some of them have too much pride in themselves which makes them sometimes hard to deal with but that goes for all people I guess.

Anyway they are not a guild. At first it was institution of NPCs but you have no idea how many people wants to go around and play good knight role.

-it’s a man romance after all. Also my sister made me do it.

The man explained his reason.

“Looks like he has a lot of problems with his sisters. Well I definitely not am joining anything like that. After all playing a hero in a long run is not a best idea. Not that I want to go play a hero anyway.”

Kelly continued explaining.

-their main occupation is catching players who are doing wrong things. Like killing someone without a reason or disrupting someone’s game. After all this game gives you completely freedom as what to do but truth is, people need laws or it becomes bad. You can’t just let all those millions of players do as they like. As there are no game masters like in normal games, some players come up with an idea of reinforcing the police and it ended up like that.

-we don’t like being called police.

-but you are ones right?…

Arata come up with conclusion.

-I understand most of what you said but isn’t it meaningless? I mean if they just hunt for someone and kill them. Sure it some punishment but they just revive ten days later and continue to do the same.

-that’s why joining Silver hand had any meaning. If you are killed by one from Silver hand, or just receive some damage during a fight. You revive in some kind of prison and are locked up there.

Kelly explained.

-exactly that. After you respawn you will be transported to a grand prison of our order where you receive judgment. You can even never see daylight again if the sentence is big. Those are the extreme cases though.

-is there someone who got that punishment?

Zen asked from behind.

-I can’t talk about it also don’t even try to ask anyone where that place is as there is no one that will betray us and tell you about it.

-exactly, there is no reason to ask. Members of Silver Hand don’t know where that prison is. As I said it was NPC’s order in the beginning. Even though right now there are more players than NPCs they still don’t know how exactly that works.

-apart from Grand Master.

The man interrupted.

“Grand master is probably some kind of guild master.”

Guild master is another term that is used to describe leader of a guild.

-so if I am killed by one of them I can’t play anymore?

Zen asked.

-it depends. As long as you don’t something really bad you won’t receive serves punishment. There are about ten days or so for killing the same player too many times without a reason meaning camping case. Mass murder without reason is three months. But it’s a game after all, PVP is common. We won’t do anything to you if you just enter some battle and kill some players for fun. Right now the thing we mostly deal with are power abuses, well I won’t go into details. It’s not pleasant topic to talk about. In short our mission to bring justice is definitely needed.

The blondie guy explained.

-that’s how it goes. Well don’t mind them and let them do as they please. Now I have question for you. What are you doing here? As far as I know you guys don’t care about less than 100 level areas.

Kelly asked him.

-mostly we don’t but there were some information that we couldn’t ignore. They were from people who passed 100 level barrier and told us about their stay in Triangle and about the guild called a Legion. My mission was to investigate if those rumors were true and inform the headquarters.

-hey doesn’t it mean that we can ignore that guild wars after all?

Arata asked. If there was already someone who should deal with it why should they bother?

-well we already started and it’s not like you can convince Gerald to change his mind now. He also should have different reason for this. It’s not like he care about those players that much. Anyway you were in Triangle already right? So how situation look there?

Kelly once again asked.

-for me, it was bad enough to call up a battalion and vanquish them all right away. Although truth is that most of the players from legion are forced to behave like they do. They can’t do anything to prevent bad treatment to players so the only thing they could really do was joining the winning side. That’s what I learned. Still even if they were forced they deserve punishment. Justice demands it

-do you really need to keep the act up?

Kelly commented.

-hmm…? I thought I would sound cool saying that. Never mind.

-so what are you doing here. Shouldn’t you be reporting to your headquarters?

-I was going to do that but just as my mission was about to end and I had all evidence that I needed, two guys show up and declared a war on Legion.

“I think I know who they are.”

Kelly’s and knight wannabe’s conversation continued.

-how do you know that they declared a war?

-in Triangle there is, or rather was a great statue of Legion’s guild’s leader. It’s really huge, like statue of liberty. If it was still intact we could see it from here. Anyway, as the declaration of war those two destroyed the statue and it fall down right onto the Triangle. Much of the city was destroyed instantly. With that the fight began or rather massacre from one side. Normal, uninvolved players and NPCs ran away because it was not safe. Many players just log out because it was fastest and most safe choice. As for me I also get away from there as fast as possible. I did finish my original mission but I can’t just leave now. I need to see how it will end. Because if for example Legion loses its power in Triangle there will be no need to call up the battalion. In that case I would just hunt down the leader once he respawn I know how he looks like and he is the one that definitely needs punishment. For others simple death should be enough.

-can you tell me what he did?

-I really don’t want to talk about power abuse.

-I probably know what it might be. Anyway thanks for information. Now, we wasted enough time already. Anari you okay right?

-I still don’t know what happened? I was sitting waiting for the food then suddenly I appeared on the ground and he was telling me that he saved me. Your name is?

Anari was the first one to ask his name.

-you can call me Levi. As for your confusion. It’s aftereffect of my spell.

-but why you had to use it on me?

-something happened to you and you were unconscious. Ask your friends about it, I don’t know what exactly. As for why exactly you feel out of place with my spell I changed your flow of time. Simply speaking, you returned to condition ten minutes before. You don’t remember what happened during this time and you are as it never happened to you.

“What!?”

Arata didn’t even try to analyze that. There were many skills, spells and abilities in this world that went beyond understanding. Anari didn’t mind the aftereffect and thanked him.

-thank you for whatever you did. I didn’t understand one bit. My name is Anari.

-it was just my job.

-I see that you are good. Everyone, it’s time to go. Get in the cart.

Kelly called out to everyone.

-if I might suggest. I think it’s better if you wait day or two. Even though most of legion forces were already defeated, there are some left of them and fights still take place from time to time. If you get caught up in it you can easily die there.

The man suggested.

-we will manage somehow. Everyone lets go.

Cart was nearly ready to go. Anari stayed behind and explained.

-don’t worry Levi, those two are from our guild they won’t hurt us. And we are reinforcements so we should go and fight as well.

-Anari we are going already!

-wait for me!

Levi was left dumb fouled after hearing this. At least from his point of view ‘those two’ definitely didn’t need any reinforcements. He decided to take look on situation once again and start walking in direction where cart just rode.

Triangle. The majestic view of beautiful medieval buildings. The scale similar to city of beginners which needed five hours to get from one side to another if you knew the way that is. That is what Arata expected to see after hearing Gerald’s description.

The greatest city in this part of world, endless opportunity, numerous quests and great rewards.

“I knew that there was something fishy about it.”

What Arata could see right now, wasn’t like that description at all.

Around the city there was black scorched ground decorated with burned down corpses that were scattered everywhere. There weren’t that many trees either but those that survived had no leafs and also were black. As for the city, the walls around it were destroyed and from the distance it seemed that the situation inside the city was no much better then outside. The buildings were either crumbled to the ground or completely burned to ashes.

-haha, they overdid it a little.

Kelly remarked at some point.

“Yes, a little…”

-as suspected of my guild leader, he is the lord of destruction.

Zen was rather happy about it.

“Weren’t we supposed to be the good guys? Weren’t we going to liberating the city? From the look of it right now there is nothing to liberate anymore. Even though I care little about the other players, my questgivers probably also died.”

-em, even if it looks a little different than we expected, we still hold to the plan. We are close enough to the city so let’s leave cart here and go on foot.

Kelly stopped somewhere next to the road. They left the cart behind, they didn’t need it anymore. It wasn’t more than 500 meters away from the gate.

“What is that smell? It’s horrible.”

It wasn’t like the smell started out off sudden. Arata could feel it for some time now. It was smell of rotting corpses that were lying around everywhere.

-I want to go home.

-me too.

In comparison to Zen who was absolutely not bothered by it, Anari and Yuki weren’t in best condition. Odin and Kotori were in an okay shape one could say. Then there was Arata who was one in even worse condition than Anari and Yuki.

-whaaa…

Arata puked out then knell and did it again.

-hey Arata, you have surprisingly weak stomach. But don’t think that you can use it as excuse when I win our game. Remember the one that kill more enemies wins.

“No matter what this guy is always the same.”

-hey Arata, you okay?

Kotori run up to him.

-yes, I need just a sec-… whaaa … I need just a second.

-you are not convincing when you puke in middle of sentence.

-looks like even if I am over ‘it’, it doesn’t mean that my body is.

-it?

-you know “that”.

In his life there was only one time that Arata ever saw corpse up front. It was five years ago during Christmas. Kotori quickly understood what Arata meant.

-it’s normal. But remember that it’s a game Arata, those corpses aren’t real.

-I know that, still they should drop realism in this game a little.

-hey Arata, what with you?

Kelly ended up asking.

-emm, remember the thing that we tried to prepare before. Arata tried it as well so it must be after effect.

Kotori thought up convincing lie before Arata said anything.

-that cooking again. You know how much time it ‘ate’ already.

-sorry.

-so what are we supposed to do now? We already are way behind the schedule. This city speaks for it. Those two even started to don’t hold back anymore. If we came two hours later there would be nothing left.

-no need to stop, I’m really… w… see I hold it.

-… .

Arata’s claim wasn’t convincing after all. He also had pale face. Seeing it Kelly decided.

-plan was already changed dramatically so it won’t hurt to change it a little more. We didn’t need one in the first place. Arata you have an official permission to slack off. Everyone else let’s get started!

-hey I’m… .

-it’s your penalty for making poisonous food.

-fine do what you want, it’s not like I cared about this guild wars at all. And it’s not even interesting when Gerald kills everything on his own.

Rather than penalty for Arata it was reward.

-you see my point. Still I don’t think that he killed their guild leader on his own as he said he won’t.

-plan also didn’t mention destroying half of the city.

-well it also didn’t say that destroying it is bad. Anyway let’s go.

-we can’t just leave him here! I will stay as well!

Kotori objected the idea.

-Kotori you go as well. Don’t worry I will follow soon after. Also the only healer can’t stay behind.

Arata started convincing her.

-what if something happen?

-what can happen?

-I don’t know.

-see, so just go.

Arata was doing his best to calm her. Kelly also added.

-Kotori, you don’t have permission to slack off. Common, if something were to happen he can take care of it. He can also just log off any time he wants.

-but.

-hey Kotori just go, we will meet later.

-… .

Finally Arata managed to convince her but she still had incredibly dissatisfied face.

They run off and entered Triangle through the city gate. Arata was left behind alone. He found a large white rock on which he sat down. It was definitely better siting on scorched ground. Arata looked around at what was left from battlefield. Even though the sight was enough for him to puke, he had a reason for it.

“I can’t have effect like that from seeing a corpse. I need to get used to it.”

Even if it sounded crazy, he was trying to get used to seeing corpses of dead people. In this game he would probably see them very often, so he couldn’t just leave it at that. Although, it was still strange that he felt like that now. After all, he already seen corpses of many creatures that most of the time were killed by his hand. Were player corpses different in that regard? Still there was a time that Arata killed some players as well before entering Loris, although he did not look at them afterwards. In the end, Arata didn’t try to think about that, instead he start thinking about something completely different.

“Ah, it’s been a while since it was so silent. When I started this game I never thought that it would end up like this. At first I thought that I will give up on the game rather fast. Well, that statement changed right away in city of beginners. Still, my plan was rather ‘solo it right to max level’ then look for people from my old guild. I never thought that I will meet this bunch. Nothing to regret, although I think we rushed with level too much. I would rather take my time and enjoy myself instead of hard work every day just to ding another level.”

85 level after two months of play was great timing or rather abnormal.

“In city of beginners I ended up with level 8 after one month. I would call it normal pace. 77 levels in another month is definitely not normal. Strongest guild and other anything else… I don’t really care about it at all. I had only one reason to start the game and it was to have fun!”

Arata for one knew that being competitive in game was more about hard work less about having fun. Sure you were killing bosses and getting best items. But there was not time to be happy about it. You killed a super hard boss after numerous of wipes on him, great! In normal guilds there would be shouts of joy and great atmosphere after it but in competitive guild it would be ‘-quickly get the next one as fast as possible. We can’t let other guilds catch up to us.’

“Ah I tired of that. And with the pace we have right now I can’t do anything else. I think it would also be a good time to get some crafting skills or mass produce food and level up my cooking. Also I still didn’t learn the bandages skill. But does it even exist here? If it does I must have it to have some sort of selfheal. Apart from that, it’s not like I should spend every day playing. I should visit grandpa at least. I still didn’t bring all my things from his house.”

Arata had some things to think about as he finally got the time. He did tell Kotori that he will catch up to them in no time but now he didn’t even think about doing anything. He wanted to rest, even if he was not doing anything for two days he still felt tired.

“Now that I think about it, how long is it already? It’s ninth day of non-stop playing. That’s definitely not healthy. It’s time to log out.”

Arata did have breaks and was sleeping in game as well so it wasn’t that bad but there were times when one needed to slow down.

But then, just as Arata was about to do that, he stopped right before clicking the yes button because he saw a battalion of soldiers coming to his way.

-Hold!

The one at the front shouted. The battalion stopped near Arata’s siting spot and afterwards came closer to him. He should be the Capitan of that group but somehow he didn’t have that impression. His height was similar to Arata, black hair and eyes. He wore simple armor with blue and gray colors. At the back, he had large, two-handed sword.

“What should I do now? Logging out right away is an option but it’s a little impolite. Well let’s just hear him.”

-good morning.

The man welcomed him to which Arata answered politely.

-hello there, nice day isn’t it?

-well yes, it’s especially hot with all that ground burned.

-right. It’s seems you have a hard time.

-yes hard time… wait not that! Who are you!?

-me? My name is Arata. What about you?

-mine is Kevin… wait not that! What are you doing here!?

-well. I am sitting on a rock.

-I see and why are you doing it?

-scorched ground didn’t seem appealing so I choose this spot to not get dirty.

Arata was honestly answering every question although clothes in EOA would be clean themselves on their own.

-ah that’s understandable… wait not that!? What are you doing here? You must know that we have a war here right now! Every suspicious stranger should be considered enemy!

“I really don’t care about that war. I didn’t start it and actually I have little to do with it.”

-why are you so hostile out of sudden? I am simple traveler who traveled here from Loris. You know how hard it was to get here. And what I see, a destroyed city. Adding to that now I have this welcome. If I knew about some wars I would chose a different city.

Arata decided to play clueless low level that just arrived here.

-I see, sorry about my attitude. We suffered heavy losses.

Kevin bought all of it.

-I see, I see. Still to destroy a city like that, can I ask who are you fighting against?

-our guild Legion was attacked by two high level players, that’s the information I received at least. Even if small in number they had enough strength to completely overwhelm us.

-Capitan Kevin. Someone approach from east!

One from the battalion reported. Arata guess was right and Kevin turned out to be their Capitan. The approaching figure turned out to be person that Arata meet before. Knight of Silver Hand, Levi.

After coming close, Levi was taken by one of soldiers in front of Capitan Kevin and Arata. Kevin asked right away.

-who are you?

-me? I’m Levi. Nice to meet you.

-yes nice to meet you. My name is Kevin… wait not that! Who are you and what are you doing here!?

-hey there is no need for hostility. Didn’t you say that the enemies are two high level guys? You don’t need to bother with every person that you meet. Just go and fight those two.

Arata ended up helping out.

-ah a person I meet before.

Levi recognized him.

-you two know each other? Well that’s speed things up. Sorry for all this hostility but that’s what we were instructed to do. There can always be some reinforcements or something like that. Arata, you seem like a good guy so I will trust you on a word and let you and your friend go.

It was going to end nicely and without the problems but Levi spoke surprised.

-reinforcements? Weren’t you some kind of reinforcement? Or did I mishear before?

“Idiot! My plan is ruined.”

-what is the meaning of this Arata!?

For Arata’s luck Kevin heard all of it.

-oh, did I say something wrong?

Levi with innocent face looked at Arata. It looked like slacking off was not going to be the case for Arata this time.

“No I can still turn it around! Also it’s his fault anyway so he shouldn’t blame me for what I am going to do.”

Arata stood up.

-a second Kevin.

-you better have good explanation!

-in private…

Arata walked closer to Kevin moved his arm around his neck and then they started whispering to each other.

-I didn’t want to say it but I meet this guy before. He and his comrades are probably in a same guild as the two attackers you just mentioned.

-didn’t he just say that you were the reinforcements?

-it’s his play, he is a sly one. When you would be busy with me, he would probably attack from behind and get rid of healers. You said that attackers are high level. Just look at him. Even if he hides it under his cloak you still can see his gear.

-now, that you said that. I see that he is wearing mithril boots. I read on the internet that they required level 120 to wear. Well that’s not as high at the other two, but it is the truth that he is over 100 level. And people like that don’t wonder around here too often.

-exactly, what business would he have here, except from attacking you that is.

Arata’s words worked like magic. That or Kevin was easy to manipulate.

-I see, now as I though you are a good guy Arata. I should have believed you from the start and attack him right away.

-wait. Can you really stand against someone of high level on your own?

-there are thirty of us here. If level is not too high we should manage. You see, I don’t see much chances of winning against those two who already killed thousands of players. I also don’t really care about our guild. Its better if it stops existing in fact, people can’t enjoy the game because of it. Even I was forced to join and couldn’t do anything else. Still on my pride as a gamer I don’t want to lose without dealing with at least one enemy. That’s why we will fight and at least deal with this one. With this I will know that I did something.

-well good luck with that. I would help but I think you guys will have more chances in familiar squad.

Arata managed to avoid fighting against 30 people at one time. It could end up badly if he fought them as they all seemed to have quite good gear, completely different than the one that ‘boar hunter’ would use.

While looking at both Arata and Kevin, Levi asked surprised.

-you two are surprisingly friendly with each other considered that you are enemies.

-I won’t get fooled by you! Men! It’s time to show him the might of legion! The one in the gray cloak is the enemy! Mages release!

After the shout, eight fireballs were lunched from the group. Seeing it Levi summoned some kind of yellow barrier right before him but it broke quickly and about four fireballs hit him. Levi was blow away few meters from his earlier position and landed on the ground.

“Looks like, they were preparing this attack from the start. Good thing that I don’t have to fight them. I don’t think I could survive that. I feel sorry for this guy but it is his fault, serves him right.”

Arata looked in Levi’s direction. Levi still didn’t get up and Kevin with part of his group already ran after him. Now Kevin held his two-handed sword in his hands. Hilt was in color of blue and blade in metallic silver. He lunched powerful swing at lying Levi. But then to Arata surprise, Levi blocked it with shield.

“Oh, he is still alive and also looks like he has more than just one shield.”

Arata was surprised because previously Levi’s shield was destroyed. The one he was using now looked a little different than previous one and didn’t have mark of silver hand on it.

Still simple block from lying position didn’t stop the impact completely and Levi got hit with end of the sword. Still Kevin was overpowering Levi only for a moment. Second later the shield started to shine in yellow light and this time it was Kevin who got blown away. Levi got up quickly and said.

-oh, you really didn’t want to start a fight with me. I don’t care about your reasoning but… prepare for consequences!

Although he said that, to Arata it didn’t look like Levi will be able to keep up his word. His yellow hair was now dyed in red. His cloak was burn down from previous attack and now revealed Levi’s armor.

At first Arata though that he was wearing plate armor, items with highest defense rating but that wasn’t the case. His tabard a cloth with silver hand herb on blue background was burn down and now revealed simple chain armor that didn’t look anything special. The only piece that looked plate like and expensive were his mithril’s shoes.

“I think running away right now would be the best option. That’s what I would do at least.”

If possible Arata would prefer to avoid fighting against 30 man raid group.

Levi didn’t run away though but rather lunched of at Kevin. Kevin was also back on his feet and attacked with his two-handed sword. With his shield Levi parried it out and attacked with his blade. Jumping back Kevin managed to avoid it but Levi didn’t stop there. His shield shined once again and he was lunched forward. After receiving a hit, Kevin was blow away to the back. Without wasting any second Levi run after him to continue his attack. He attacked lying Kevin who defended his face with his arms as his sword was blown away even further. The attack made huge damage but didn’t slash off Kevin’s hands, although his position was no good. Levi wanted to continue and finish Kevin off but he was blocked by shield of one of Kevin’s party members. Then without delay arrows and magic bolts lunched at Levi’s position. He dodged first series but he had to back off. Kevin was now protected by his teammates and Levi was under heavy fire. While running around he was sometimes blocking enemies’ attacks but in midst of it he didn’t have a chance to attack himself.

Arata could see three arrows that stayed in Levi’s shield as they went through it and make small cracks. Well they weren’t Kelly’s arrow so he should be able to repair it. Probably.

There were mages and archers at the back and melee fighters at the front. They had different kinds of weapons but mostly sword and shield. There were also some healers at the back who were casting healing spells at Kevin. In short, Levi was in bad position no matter how one looked at it.

“Ah, that doesn’t look good. They have well balanced party, or should I say raid. Ah it’s really good that I don’t have to fight them.”

Melee at front started to surround Levi who after assault looked even worse than before. He was knelling on knee and set up a yellow barrier around him, probably the same that he used to block first attack.

-this is our chance. Surround him!

Kevin who was still covered in healing spells was standing back and leaded his teammates. Levi on the other hand looked like he will fall on the ground at any moment. Still to Arata, he didn’t look like someone who was going to give up.

Arata noticed familiar mark under Levi. Yellow clock spell that he once used on Anari, this time he wanted to use it over himself. It was much bigger than before. The effect was instant. Damaged armor was repaired. Wounds also disappeared. He was like new, good and go. Well apart from one thing. Arrows were still cling in his shield, it the only item that wasn’t repaired. Even from a distance Arata could see that Levi wasn’t very pleased by that fact.

“That’s some healing power. Still I don’t think that it will help him much in this situation.”

Levi was now in much better condition. His moves improved and were faster still he had to deal with attacks from all the sides and avoid incoming range attacks although they weren’t lunched in large quality because they could hit others who fought in close combat.

It was obvious that Levi was much better than his enemies in terms of strength and technique but with numbers and good strategy Kevin’s group had large advantage.

“They are holding back wounded ones and heal them up while fresh guys go to the front. It’s like a strategy for the boss. Even if that guy is doing quite good there are some limits to what he can do alone. If I were in his shoes… well I would run away long time ago as it’s stupid to even try. Still if I were to fight, using maximum damage on single target would be a way to go. But as long as healers are in play if you don’t ‘burn down’ someone really fast they will be healed up. I would probably try to bypass the melee at front and take down the healers. With black dash and lighting speed it would be possible to get to them quickly. Still it looks like he doesn’t have anything like that.”

Levi was fighting at his best surrounded by four or six enemies at time. He managed to parry of most of attacks and land some counters but they were simple sword swings nothing special. No extra skills. Arata realized something.

“He is definitely out of mana. That should be given after all, that spell was overpowered and he doesn’t look like healer to me. He is a Paladin maybe? But why it looks like a clock? Well it’s probably something different and I already saw Paladin healing techniques. Still that shining shield strike was quite similar to the one that paladin used.”

Arata continued to look at the fight but at some moment he started to feel really bad for what he did. After all, it was in very, very, very little part his fault that Levi had to go through this fight.

“I thought that he will be okay. He should have higher level than me but looks like not high enough. I probably saw too much of Gerald actions and though that higher level means being a monster like him. Well I should be rather happy that it’s not the case. Still this idiot should run away if he knew that he wouldn’t be able to win… Ah, it can’t be helped.”

Arata started to walk in direction of ‘range group’. They didn’t pay much attention to him as they were focused on fight with Levi. Arata found ideal spot.

“They really ask for it, don’t they?”

Arata unsheathe swords from his right side.

[Sword enchant: Wind]

-hey what are you doing?

One of the Kevin’s group asked when he saw Arata’s strange behavior but it was already too late.

[Black dash]

[Black dash]

[Black dash]

[Black dash]

Using it four times Arata cleaned up ‘ten meters of enemies’. Going back and forth with black dash. Each black dash could make him go 5 meters. He used it twice on back and forth. About fifteen of enemies who were clinching together in those ten meters were defeated in instant. Some of them had no idea what happened and how they even died.

-Kevin!

One of female players who weren’t in those ten meters called for their Capitan. Apart from her, there were three others that survived as they stayed more on the side. Arata quickly went to get rid of them.

The first one that stand on his way was an archer who thrown his bow to the ground and took out his sword to fight in melee but the moment his sword clinched with Arata’s black sword ‘Kuroi’, archer’s sword was cut in half like some wooden stick.

One hit was not enough to take down the archer but by combining it with second strike from other sword it was enough. Arata didn’t stop there and continued forward to his main target the girl who just screamed. The reason for that was simple, she was last healer standing. With her down it would go much easier from now on. The other two who survived stood in formation to defend her as well acknowledging that her life was more important. One was a man in purple robe with wooden staff which was making him a mage, second was another archer but this one was holding a bow. After a quick show, they didn’t want to take Arata in close combat.

Archer was a little more forward so he was first to go. He managed to fire off an arrow but it was easily dodged by Arata as he saw where the archer was aiming at. Arata soon after moved forward and slash off archer’s head in one go. From Arata’s left mage released fireball out of his hands.

[Sword enchant: fire]

With his normal sword Arata swung though the fireball and that fireball split in two and both parts passed by on his side and disappeared quickly.

“Ah, so this is how it goes. Just as I thought.”

During the ride Arata wondered about what happened during the boss fight in Stonecell. He managed to cut in half some of fat two headed boss spells. After thinking about it for some time Arata came up with an answer. Arata always felt that his second class sword enchanter somehow didn’t live up to rank four as the only useful thing that it has was sword slash, but now that he found out its true power Arata changed his mind. One thing that Arata didn’t understand was why there was no information that mentioned it. He came up with an answer that some things you just have to reveal by yourself. That or it was a bug.

Arata continued his attack. Given the range, mage could use another spell. Knowing that fireball won’t work he used something different. From the ground a pile of earth went up. It turned into shape of fist and lunched off in Arata’s direction.

[Sword enchant: earth]

Once again he slashed it with sword completely destroying spell effect like before. Two pieces of mud landed behind him. After slashing down the spell Arata right away with second sword slash down the mage.

After that Arata start walking slowly. The healer girl was lying on the ground two meters away. With long brown hairs now covering her eyes she couldn’t see anything now. Still it was not because hair was covering her eyes but because she had her eyes close.

“Anari type eh…”

Although Anari got better lately, in Arata’s eyes she would always be someone who couldn’t move in that park where he fought against his first monster in this game. What Arata called ‘Anari type’ was ‘useless scared of everything player who really shouldn’t be playing this game’.

Arata was now relaxed but he wasn’t the type that would go easy on a girl. He could go easy on a kid but definitely not because someone was a girl. There was simple reason for it. Way back in the day when he was living with his grandfather he was studding material arts and other skills. He wasn’t doing it just with his grandfather. After all, his grandfather was Olympic champion. He had quite a number students training under his care. Arata was often pitched against them and train with them. There was especially one that he had to fight against very often and it was a girl. She was Arata’s age and was going to the same school. Arata’s grandfather wanted his grandson to make a friend with someone but … let’s just say Arata wasn’t in mood for friendship at that time and it never worked out. Still Arata’s grandfathers never give up and continued to pitch them against each other. It was also better to fight opponent of the same height as other students were older and focused on some purposes, like winning the golden medal. Arata’s case was different as he never even thought about doing it as a sport. In girl’s case she trained to improve her health. She had some kind of illness since birth. Arata didn’t know the details. Still even with health problem Arata was often beaten by her as she started the training one year earlier than him. With time it was more equal and Arata started to win from time to time but he still remembered his first year. And even so, the ratio was still about 1 win for him ten for the girl. That is why no matter how fragile one might looked, Arata never let his guard down. In fifth year of staying in his grandfather house Arata finally got better emotionally but he still never spoke to that girl about anything that didn’t mention their training. Also at the beginning of that year she stopped coming. It happened after annual training in mountains that his grandfather organized for all his students. It was especially hard that year as Olympics were coming. After what happened, for all what Arata knew she could be dead right now. Still with memories about her, he would never underestimate someone just because she was a girl.

There was no need to rush. Arata walked slowly and when he got close he just swung his sword at the girl. Still not rushing was his error as his sword was stopped by large two handed sword that appeared in the way.

The wilder of that sword Kevin who rushed all the way the moment he heard the girl screaming. Although Arata tricked him down, Kevin didn’t look angry at all, rather, he large smile on a face.

-Kevin, waaaaa…

The girl screamed.

“Somehow this seems familiar.”

-don’t worry Nel, I am here. Hey Arata! What are you doing!?

-em… you remember that reinforcements thing. You see, I am those reinforcements after all.

There was no need to hide anything now so Arata just explained although he wasn’t planning to be those reinforcements in the beginning and wanted to log out.

-ah, that’s really explain everything… wait what!

-sorry about that.

-then who is the one we fight right now, he is from reinforcements as well?

-if you had to describe him, then a ‘random traveler’ would be good description.

-well, he doesn’t look like some random traveler to me.

Kevin pointed in the place where Levi was fighting. He was once again covered in blood, in his blood and those who he already brought to the ground. Without healing from the back, number of remaining foes he had to fight against was lowered to three.

-aaaaa!!!

Correction, now it was two. Levi was making crazy moves with his sword. He didn’t have his shield anymore though. What could happen with it?

What was strange though, was that although Arata and Kevin should be enemies they just talked in Levi’s direction without any worries.

-well he might not be that random. Anyway what are we doing? We fight or we not?

Arata asked as he was not sure. Kevin came closer and whispered.

-hey Arata, I don’t mind that you lied and betrayed us. It was good tactic I must say, good job. Also, as I said, I also don’t care about our guild too much. I am against their doing as well.

-if that is so, you can just walk away for all I care.

-yes, about that. Could you help me out a little?

-help? You know, I’m busy no rather right now I am dead tired, and I want to log out.

Arata was now somehow regretting that he didn’t log out when he had a time.

-it will take just a moment. You see, that girl. I… let’s just say I want to look cool before her, you follow right?

Kevin said with awkward voice.

-more or less.

-great, then could you play it out with me? It would also be good if you could do something about your friend, so he won’t follow after us. You know, he looked very upset or rather, he was burning in anger at some point and then he went crazy.

-okay just be quick and leave before he comes here.

-thanks…

Kevin put his sword forward and started speaking loudly.

-you deceived me and betray me! But know that I have heart full of compassion and forgiveness! I can forgive your betrayal. I can forgive death of my friends. We just happen to be on the opposite side that’s all. But I cannot forgive attacking on my dear friend Nel. Prepare yourself!

Right after that, over from the head Kevin lunched powerful swing downwards. Not only it was powerful but also fast. Arata could only block it lifting his two swords up. After the impact Arata had to bend the knee.

“Hey, it was supposed to be the play.”

Arata pushed sword up and started attacking. Kevin moved back quickly and with spin slashed horizontally. Arata crouched down to dodge it sword went right over his head but as Arata stood up back he saw Kevin’s sword started to shine in blue color. Kevin gained even more power and speed this time and without stopping the second attack came right away.

[Sword enchant: shield]

Arata tried to block it but the moment Kevin’s two handed sword clashed with his Arata was send flying back three meters. Staying on feet required some skills from him.

“Hey… that’s definitely not the play! You owe me Kevin.”

-your sword is too powerful. I understand that the wish to protect that girl is giving it strength. I am no match for it and that’s why I flee.

Arata decided to participle in role play as well although he nearly burst out laugh while saying it.

-flee all you want, I don’t attack those who lost will to fight!…

Kevin sheathed his sword and run to brown-hired girl.

-Nel quickly before they regroup, we must escape from here, I won’t be able to fight them both at the same time while defending you.

-thank you Kevin.

-it’s best to log out while we still have a chance.

Kevin and Nel disappeared in a flash. It looked like Kevin decided that it’s best to leave everything to that girl imagination and take the reward later. Kevin also decided that the moment he log back, he will leave his guild and take a shot at 100 level challenge.

//** This chapter is not over over. Continue to part _17.2 **//

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=333&t=3286