Chapter 23 “Vicious ghost.”

“He was not half bad, I guess. Now, who will be next?”

Rin just killed the first ‘kidnapper’ and looked around the cave for others. But to her surprise there were no more kidnappers in there and the only other person there was her friend.

“Strange, the letter mentioned a group?”

Today after arriving in her house, Rin found a message that informed her that her friend was kidnapped and kidnappers want to get information about her skill. She was to come to this cave and in details explain how to complete a specific quest or her friend will be held captive forever.

After reading that message, Rin right away make her way to the mentioned cave. Of course she didn’t plan to tell them anything nor was she going to negotiate with the kidnappers. Her plan was to just kill them all, after all it was all that they deserved. So far she killed the first one but the rest was strangely missing.

“I guess it doesn’t matter.”

Rin decided that if her friend is safe, it doesn’t really matter if it’s just one person she had to kill or more. The others probably ran away when they realized their bad doings and Rin would not waste her time to look for them.

Rin took down the brown hood out of her head. Then with her right hand she took out her long red hair out to the open.

-Mary!

She said the name of her friend who was already in hearing distance.

It’s been some time since they last meet. Also the last time it was in somewhat similar circumstances as at that time Rin had to rescue her as well. Her friend however was somehow displeased by the fact that Rin rescued her. At least more displeased than usual. It was because Yume wanted someone else to do rescuing part. That was at least what she kept saying. In truth however, this was a way for them to meet up with each other for no specific reason. Still, this time it was somewhat different and Yume was in fact displeased and not as usual only playing displeased.

-you done it again, right Amy?

Her friend would use a different name while addressing Rin just as when Rin would use a different name while addressing Yume.

-you mean rescuing you?

Rid didn’t understood the unpleasant tone at all.

-rescuing? Didn’t I said many times that I don’t want you to rescue me?

-then why people and the letters always come to me?

-well…

Her friend avoided the eye contact. Truth was Rin knew exactly how it went but that didn’t bother her, rather she was happy to meet her friend. Just as Yume was happy to meet her.

-anyway, this time I was already saved before you came here.

Yume changed the subject and stated a strange fact. It was true that there was no one dangerous inside right now but just a second ago, there was a kidnapper standing near the entrance whom Rin just took care off.

-I don’t see any of yours knights or princes here? Also, I just killed last kidnapper so if there were any of them, they didn’t do a good job.

Rin answered. Yume said that someone already rescued her but why that person was no longer here was strange. It was probably because that person log out and miss the last kidnapper. That was Rin’s first idea or rather hope.

-that kidnapper was the one that helped me. You just killed my rescuer.

-… .

“Ups.”

-that’s why I said ‘you did it again’, killing someone just because they were in a wrong place at a wrong time.

-but it’s not my fault that he died. He could have just say something like ‘I am not kidnapper!’.

Rin tried to defend herself but she was already at losing point.

-and of course you would believe him.

-it would better than staying silent.

-I don’t think anyone can say anything, when vicious ghost of Karma is charging at them with desire to kill.

-but… but he even looked like kidnapper! Who normally goes all in black? It’s like saying I am the bad guy.

-it wasn’t all black. And those clothes were stylish. It’s not something a common kidnapper would wear. I wonder where he got that? If it was a crafter then it should be someone who is quite famous. I think I saw those patterns somewhere…

Yume pondered for a second but returned to conversation right away.

-anyway Amy, you have something to say?

-I am sorry Mary.

-don’t apologize to me. Apologize to him.

-but he won’t hear me anyway. Also I will never meet him again. So why bother? Also even if he was still here, I would still not apologize anyway. It’s his fault for dying so easily.

-eh.

Yume just sighed.

-so how many kidnappers were here this time?

Rin asked.

-four or so.

-then that kidnapper killed four players on his own?

-I kept telling you that he was not a kidnapper.

-it doesn’t matter what we call him, so how did it go?

-I didn’t see anything so… wait, you are interested in him? What happened!?

Yume asked surprised. For Rin to ask about someone else was really rare.

-well, he managed to stay alive for few seconds in our fight and most importantly the technique that he used… it bothers me a little.

-ah, it’s typical you, it’s always about fighting. Where were my hopes? Eh… .

Yume signed again.

-what else would that be?

Rin had no idea what Yume meant.

-never mind. Amy, are you going for tomb challenge again right now?

-no, I just resurrected after the last try. So it will take some time before I can go there again.

“Even if I could go it’s not like it will be any different. I can’t beat ‘him’.”

At the moment, Rin was trying to complete a hard quest or rather a prequest. In that prequest she has to fight an against army of skeletons and its twelve generals whom she calls ‘super skeletons’. Rin tried many times already but she couldn’t complete it. In her last try, Rin was once again stopped by the same ‘super skeleton’ whom she called ‘the champion’. It is the only super skeleton that she hadn’t defeated even once so far and right now she felt like she will never be able to do so. For now, Rin hoped that ‘this felling’ will go away as she level up back and then everything will be back to normal.

-in that case, let’s go to the Karma first. I am hungry.

-right, Mary I have something important to ask of you.

-if it’s helping in a tomb then no, I will pass on dying and I won’t be helpful anyway.

-no it’s not that. Well, it’s in a way related to it but there are no tombs and no skeletons involved directly.

-in that case no problem.

Rin and Yume left the cave and they started heading to Karma city. First through the forest and then through the road. At some point Rin unequipped her ‘vicious ghost’ gear namely the brown cloak.

-so what you need help with?

Yume asked when they were already walking.

-you see Mary, there are hundreds of pictures and you take letters and create a message. There is instruction but it doesn’t help at all and in general nothing makes any sense.

‘In a way’ Rin tried to explain to Yume what she wanted her help with. Rin wanted a help with a riddle that she got from questgiver who also gave her prequest to the tomb.

-slow down, I didn’t understand a single thing of what you just said. Anyway you said that there is an instruction. Do you have it with you?

-no, it’s in a house.

-then we will get back to it, later.

-but it’s better if I tell you now.

-um… even if you tell me everything now, I am not very good with riddles anyway. If it’s something complicated, I won’t be able to solve it.

Yume’s answer was not really hopeful.

-then what will we do!

-don’t panic. I know a perfect person for that job.

When Rin was not really involving herself with other players, Yume was her exact opposite. She knew and spoke with almost anyone who stayed in Karma for longer than two months.

-you don’t mean, ‘that guy’?

-who would be better? Also he will probably do it for free if you agree to join us on our little expedition.

Rin already heard about that ‘little expedition’ and from where she saw it, her tries at the tomb were less suicidal than what those people wanted to do. Although the man that Yume mentioned was someone who would surely solve this riddle was one from ‘Yume’s raid group’. That group considered currently 15 people who were playing together and went for dungeons or raid dungeons. In a way they were a guild but they never officially become one. It was because those players wouldn’t waste their money on some paper which wouldn’t change much anyway. That was at least the official story and Rin didn’t care to hear the true reason as this one sounded little fishy. Right now, that group was planning an expedition to the unexplored west. In game’s history there already were few groups that tried and do the same but they all failed to do anything ‘meaningful’ there. Still even though the chances were low new challengers would always appear and try to explore the unknown and receive the glory for doing so.

-maybe you know someone else who could solve it?

Rin would prefer to avoid meeting ‘the man’ that Yume mentioned so she asked for alternative.

-I could try with few other people, but why don’t we just go for the best chance.

-but if he knows that it’s for me, then he will never agree. He hates me after all.

-he doesn’t hate you.

-I really doubt that.

-well your relations would be better if you didn’t try to kill him every time you see him. What is worse you succeeded twice didn’t you?

-it was his fault.

-Amy?

-well maybe there is 1% of my fault as well, but it’s mostly his.

-eh… anyway if you want to be fair then pay him 100 g for the job. We need money for expedition after all.

-okay, I don’t mind doing that but you are the one who talk it out and I am not going to meet him.

-fine, fine, I will get it done, you also can keep your money. He would not take it from me even if I tried to put it into his pockets.

“Yes, my riddle will be solved!”

Although she didn’t want to really on that person, Rin was sure that if he were to solve the riddle, he would definitely manage to do it.

Rin was in a good mood when they continued to Karma because her riddle will be solved. But then, that mood was suddenly broken.

-ah, I forgot to mention. He is not playing right now and it will take some time before he actually log back. Well I am sure it won’t take that much, he should be coming back soon.

-soon?

-less than a month?

Yume’s answer made Rin lost all her hope. Well, it was not that bad as even if the riddle wasn’t completed right now, it would be completed in future should that man return. But waiting will be terrible.

-Rin don’t worry, there are also other ways to solve that riddle.

-like what?

-we need to find, someone else.

Yume solution was quite simple indeed.

-you have any other riddle loving acquaintances?

-I can’t point specifically anyone else who will definitely solve it. Also if we have 100g there should be a faster method to it. Let’s go to the center.

-no, no, no, not there.

If you were looking for something, the city center was a place to go but because of that, that place was always filled with people, it was a place that Rin usually avoided the most.

-look at the bright side. You won’t own anything to Shin. It will be just you putting the offer down. 100g will definitely draw people.

Shin was the name of the man mentioned before.

-fine, I get it.

Although without desire to do it, if it was to solve her riddle and help her with the tomb fight, she had to do it. Also occupying her mind with something to run away from ‘memories of her last try’ would be nice.

At some time later Yume returned to their first topic.

-so what did you said about Arata? You said, he bothered you?

-who is Arata?

-the one you killed today. Don’t forget it already!

-you mean the kidnapper?

-yes the kidnapper.

-hmm… he didn’t bother me but rather what he did bothered me.

-you said he used some grand technique. Was it something that even you had a trouble with?

-no, rather I perfectly knew how to deal with it.

-then why does it bother you?

-it bothers me because he knew it and not only that, he also knew about the follow up counter. It is simply impossible to avoid the ‘follow up attack’ unless you know it’s coming. Because when you see that attack, it’s already too late to block it in that position. Still the kidnapper was expecting me to strike there and he started lifting his sword to defend against it.

-and that bothers you? What it means to you if he knows that technique and follow up?

-because it’s master’s technique! I also know how to use it from him and how to defend against it but it’s not something that you can find out about easily. He must have somehow steal it.

-steal? Why can’t you think other way around and think, that someone just like you learnt it normal way?

-because, it’s not something who didn’t reach high enough level could learn. It’s not a technique that you learn during your first year.

-then that person learned for longer.

-no, I don’t think so. If he did learn for more than one year, he would not die that fast, although.

“Now that I think about it, he did block my first rush strike. It was not something any newbie could do. His last moments was also strange, did he simply gave up?”

-if you didn’t kill him then you could ask him.

Yume stated.

-Mary, was he injured in previous battle or something?

Rin ignored the comment and asked.

-wow, you really got interested, didn’t you? Still I didn’t talk with him for more than three minutes and half of it was misunderstanding. He said that he has to log out right this moment so I didn’t want to prevent him from doing so. As for the injuries he had quite a lot of them, some of them were even frozen god knows why. I also saw that his clothes looked like they just repaired themselves after the fight but there were blood prints on them still. I didn’t have an occasion to ask about those though.

-maybe kidnappers did that.

Rin reached a possible conclusion.

-no, those weren’t resent wound and as for kidnappers, they were killed in about 5 seconds, I think.

-5 seconds? Definitely impossible.

Rin stated right away. Even for her it would probably be impossible to deal with four people in that time unless she used her ingame skills that is.

-well I don’t know how it went exactly but first I heard shouts like ‘Who are you!’ and five seconds later it was ‘aaararag!’.

-ah, I don’t know anymore, why did he stop at that moment?

Rin asked herself loudly.

-what do you mean?

-well, he was about to block my attack then it was like, he stopped moving. Also even after I hit him, because his equipment was quite good, my attack didn’t really injured him that much, still he started to fall to the ground second later.

-then why did you finish him off instead of finding out what happened?

Yume one again asked.

-he was a kidnapper, after all.

And Rin gave her the obvious answer. In her mind, ‘the man’ was already labeled as kidnapper and she did not feel the need to call him differently.

-maybe it’s like this. If he stopped moving completely then someone might have forced him out from the capsule. If you don’t log out the normal way this is how it looks like…

“I guess that makes some sense.”

Yume founded a reasonable explanation.

-so Amy, want to look for him later and ask about all those things?

-no, I don’t care that much.

-eh.

Yume had some hopes as it was the first time since a while since Rin took an interest in someone. Lately she would just talk only about her quest, tomb and skeletons. It really saddened Yume that her friend can’t get along with others. Still, because Yume knew ‘the reason’ for Rin’s decision to not involve herself with others, she couldn’t say anything to her about that.

Upon reaching Karma city, they quickly went to Rin’s house. At the same time, it was also Yume’s house but official owner and buyer was Rin. Rin quickly took out the riddle from one of the drawer. After seeing it and reading the instruction Yume quickly said.

-to the center then!

With small delay for the meal, they went to the city center.

The Karma city’s center was located in the middle of human district. One could divine this place in two parts. In west part, players did their business. Some of them were trading, others were looking for party. There were also few who were looking for people to their guild. There were also crafters would set their sales here before they could buy a building for their shops. People also looked here for help or information. Because the number of people was so large, it was set that the middle part was for those who were just looking around, while the sides were for those who were offering their services. One could imagine it like a road on which the sides were filled with traders while the middle was for the buyers. Most of the people on the sides had a table in their hands on which some information was written like. [Recruiting for a guild.[Need healer for blue mines asap.] [Selling crafted swords.] [Selling information on how to get cheaply to the capital.] and so on. In the center there was also a general information board on which people could post their needs and didn’t want to wait all day on the streets.

-so we are putting the note on the board and get away from here right?

Rin asked with hope, although she already suspected her friend’s answer.

-we can do it later, for now let’s see how it goes if we just wait.

-fine but at least not here!

Right now they were in the very middle of uproar.

-it would have better effect if we do it here but fine.

Yume grabbed Rin’s hand and they started moving through the crowd. It was very easy to get lost there. Previously they also entered like that.

They soon found a spot with lesser amount of people but still numerous. Still at the sides there were three free spots next to each other. Rin quickly chose the middle one.

-you have the tablet right?

Rin asked.

-yep, I often use it.

Yume took out the tablet. There was still previous message on it.

[Looking for a knight or a prince on white horse and with blond hair.]

Rin didn’t even try to comment on that. Two minutes later a new sign appeared.

[Paying 100g for anyone who can solve Morgorian riddle.]

It was the simple message and starting it with ‘paying 100g’ would quickly bring results.

While Rin was holding the sign at the back, Yume dealt with those who came. It looked like Yume knew most of them as she often went into friendly talk rather than talk about the riddle. Still no matter how many people came, no one ever heard about something like Morgorian riddle and after looking at the pictures for a minute or so, they even have a clue on how to solve it.

After two hours Rin had enough.

-I don’t think it will work.

-just a little longer and someone will solve it.

Yume was still optimistic.

-fine, no more than one hour, okay?

-Amy, didn’t you forget for whom we are doing it.

Rin couldn’t say anything to that.

Although the number of people who tried was getting bigger and bigger, the riddle was still unsolved. When the last hour was about to end, the last person that they were going to talk with came. Although he was not there for the riddle.

-excuse me my lady, can you tell me where to get a sign like that?

The person had blond hair and green eyes. He was wearing a gray cloak that surrounded his body and covered most of his clothes apart from mithril boots. They were what pointed Rin’s attention because that material was not something that one could get in Karma. Also, everywhere else it would be still really expensive to get an item that was made from it. Yume answered.

-you are not from here are you?

-eh.

Rin sighed. Yume would not simply answer to the man’s question. Rather, she would use it as opportunity to talk with the person whom she never meet before. She was always like that when she meet a new visitor in Karma and because of that, Rin really didn’t like to go around the city with her.

-yes it’s my first time in this part of the world.

The man answered.

-I knew it! So where did you came from?

-it’s hard to say as I am pretty much traveling to new cities nonstop as of late. First ‘City of light’ then ‘Tardok’ then ‘Triangle’ and now I am here. Although, my last destination can’t be called a city anymore.

-wow, you traveled quite a lot.

-I had my missions after all.

-missions?

-well I don’t want to brag but I belong to the silver hand order.

“You don’t want to brag but you just did it.”

Rin somewhat started to listen to their conversation now. Also even if she didn’t want to acknowledge anyone just because of belonging, silver hand order had quite fame to it that even she was aware of.

-that’s great. Still, what someone from the capital is doing here?

-well, I wasn’t in capital for that long so I wouldn’t say from capital. As for what I am doing here. I don’t want to brag but I will be promoted soon once again for what I did on last mission. I will be one of the quickest to raise his second rank if everything goes well and there is no reason that it shouldn’t.

“You bragged again.”

-what did you do? Some grand important mission?

-that too but I caught some big shot criminals in Triangle. For that I will be promoted. It was not exactly only my doing but in the end I was the one that was cleaning everything up.

The man answered.

-you said that you still have to do something, right? So why did you come to Karma at times like this?

Yume returned to previous topic.

-well, what I have to do is to simply level up. They told me that for higher rank in silver hand order you need higher level. Although, I think that in truth it was probably, ‘don’t get ahead of yourself rookie’. People are jealous if you are doing too well, you know. As to why I am here? First I was planning to exp up in Rodaria but I somehow ended up here.

-oh, I know that city, I sometimes goes there as well, it’s not that far. But why did you change your destination to Karma?

-on the road I catch a glimpse of interesting story from someone who was traveling from this city. He told me about great villain that terrorizes this area, so I came to check it out. If I am lucky there will be some points for me to get here.

“I didn’t hear about any villains here.”

-you will hunt that villain?

Yume asked.

-if he exist that is.

-what do you mean?

-well with stories like that, there is always the catch and the villain is usually just someone who happened to kill the player that told that story and wanted revenge. Simple as that. If someone does a little bit of PvP, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are criminals who should be caught. There is a complicated system to it that decides what is considered a wrong doing. Still, there is an easy way to find out if someone should be put in jail. I just have to draw a blood of given person with my weapon and I will know right away. It’s an ability that you receive automatically when you join silver hand.

-so you came here to find out if that villain exist or not?

-well, it’s still just a side job that made me came to this city rather than to other. I am here mainly to level up. Still, because I am here I might as well check that villain and for that I need the tablet, so once again, where can I buy it?

The man went back to the original topic. Rin expected her friend to prolong that conversation a little more but that didn’t happen.

-you can buy it from Floyd’s shop, three streets from here but if you are new to the city then you will get lost.

-I am used to getting lost.

The man said with smile and was about to go but Yume offered help.

-you won’t need to go there now as I can give you mine. We are ending our search anyway. Also those tablets are quite cheap so I can offer one to defender of justice.

-really? Well, that would help.

-what do you want to have written on it? I can make it so it grabs more attention, I quite good at it. But firstly, who was that villain that you talked about? I pretty much know everyone who stayed in this city for a longer time and know every gossip but I didn’t heard about any player killers as of late.

-…so it was a false rumor after all. Maybe I should give it up already, or is it too early to give up? Anyway just write that I need information about some ‘vicious ghost’ or someone called Queen of blades. That’s two names that I heard. I will just stay for an half an hour and then give up if what you said is correct.

-hahahaha.

Yume burst out laughing after she heard the name of the villain. The mentioned villain on the other hand was standing two meters behind them.

“I didn’t do anything bad, or too bad. I don’t kill people without a reason.”

Yes, Rin wouldn’t kill someone without a reason. The problem was that sometimes the reason would be ‘he stayed in my way when I walked’ or ‘didn’t understand the word no’. The second one was actually the reason for most of her kills but the first one also appeared quite often.

-why are you laughing? Did I say some joke?

The man could not understand her.

-no, no, it’s just I know very well the one you spoke of.

-then that player exist? Does that person terrorize this city?

-I don’t know about terrorization but that vicious ghost happens to kill people from time to time, right Rin?

When Yume was talking with Rin while there were others people around, she would not use the name ‘Amy’. In comparison Rin would keep using Mary no matter the situation.

“You could defend me at least.”

Although Yume just sold her out to ‘the cop’ Rin nodded her head. There was no need to hide it after all.

“It would be interesting to kill that guy. I will be able to see if the stories about that organization are true. Also I will see if he is worth his bragging.”

Apart from completing quest, other occupation that Rin liked was fighting against strong opponents, although she had a hard time finding anyone that would really prove to be a challenge. So far she didn’t meet a single player that managed to land even one hit on her.

-if it’s like that then there is only one way to find out...

It looked like the blond haired knight was ready for the action.

-can you tell me where to find that vicious ghost and how to recognize it?

He asked.

-well I don’t know that many details. Still if you ask around the city, people will just tell you ‘brown cloak with mark of blood at the back. Figure like that often appears near tomb of the Edward Third the Great and if you meet it you die.’

-and that place is?

-south of here. It’s very easy to find, you just have to follow the road after leaving through the south gate.

-then I guess I will try over there.

-I think it may take a lot of time before you actually find that ghost.

Yume didn’t disclose any information that only she knew, she only told the man the most popular as of late legend of the Queen of blades.

-as I said, I have a lot of time and south of here should be as good exping ground as any.

-I guess.

-well, sorry to cut it short, but the duty orders me to go there, right away. Also sorry that I couldn’t help but I don’t know anything about Morgorian riddles.

“You just said that you don’t have any mission and just have to level up. Duty orders me? I guess, he is hardworking type. There really must be some good rewards in that silver hand order if he is trying so hard.”

-before you go. My name is Yume, what is yours?

Yume stopped him.

-I am Levi.

-in that case. Welcome to the Karma, Levi.

It was one of other rituals that Yume had while first meeting people in Karma. Blond haired knight walked away with much improved mood and informations that he looked for.

Yume and Rin also hid their tablet as there was no real reason to continue. Yume left a message on information board and they left the city center.

-so, how long will you keep him waiting?

Yume asked.

-why should I even go there? He will just attack me just like any other players. There were few like him already.

-but they were not from silver hand order, also I know that you will go to fight him anyway. I know you too well. So when you will go there?

There was no use in hiding anything from Yume.

-at night. If he can’t even wait for few hours then there is no need to bother with him. For now I am going to eat something.

-I will go with you. You are going to the same place as usual right?

-yep.

-then we should drink some of their beer there, remember how great it was last time?

The problem was that Rin didn’t remember. She also did not really enjoy drinking but at that time she was tricked by her friend.

-I have a fight later so I will pass on that.

-ah, you should give poor Levi a head start.

Yume already called the man poor as she knew that painful death awaits him. Yume pitied him a little. He just wanted to do the right thing and for that he would have to die. No matter how good he would be, she knew that he doesn’t stand a chance against Rin.

-why should I do that?

-at least don’t attack him right away and listen to what he says.

-I will think about it, but if he says something like, let me strike you once so I can find out if you are a criminal or not I am will not hold back.

-but from what he said, he plans to do something like that.

-it’s his problem not mine.

They both went to dwarven district and then to the tavern where Rin liked to go. They both ordered set five and both changed the liquid that was coming with it.

-so what should we do about the riddle?

Rin returned to their main objective.

-I put the request on information table so if someone’s know how to solve ‘Morgorian riddle’ and read it, they will definitely come as its 100 gold reward.

-and if no one knows how to solve it?

-then you have to wait till Shin comes back…

“I really don’t want this option.”

-what with that look?

-nothing, and when will that guy come back?

-probably, few days before expedition.

-but you still don’t know when you are going?

-vacation started and people went somewhere and can’t play right now. But it won’t take long. A month or two.

-that’s not very convincing and earlier it was no more than a month.

-did I? Anyway, we always had a problem with organization after all. But if by a month we don’t go, I will contact Shin myself in real. Also even if we don’t start in one month, he should be logging back in this time regardless.

-but why are you going to the west Mary? Your level is too high right now and you want to lower it? Going there is suicidal.

-you for one shouldn’t be saying anything about being suicidal…

To that, Rin couldn’t say anything as she couldn’t count anymore how many levels she have lost on her quests.

-as to why are we going there? The idea just popped up one day after we finished raid dungeon. Everyone thought that it will be interesting so why not?

-still, it’s been some time since you first mentioned it.

“First time I heard about it was about half a year ago.”

-we didn’t go yet specifically because we are not as suicidal as you. Remember how you told me about your adventure to the west.

-I been there few times while doing my previous quest but I never went too far, and it’s really hard out there.

-that’s one of the reasons we delayed for so long, we wanted to prepare for it. Still we already decided that next big thing we do is going there and no more delaying.

-it doesn’t concern me so do what you want.

Rin had no plans to go west as long as her quest didn’t ask her of it. She simply knew that fighting abilities of monsters over there and their numbers were simply too high. There shouldn’t be anyone who could freely travel in there. Anyone who would go there would sooner or later meet his end.

-so what are you going to do now Amy? I don’t think that you are patient enough to wait till the riddle s solved.

Yume asked once again.

-no, I think this time I will wait for the riddle.

-why change of heart?

-I need to rest form everything and it’s a perfect time for that.

Rin tried to explain.

-and what’s the real reason?

Yume could easily see through Rin’s lie. Also Rin was not the type who would slack off and lazy around for a month.

-I… .

-Amy, who will listen to this if not me?

-I… I don’t think I will ever be able to win this.

In the end, Rin let out her honest thought from which she tried to run away.

-didn’t you always said, as long as you will try you will manage one day. With that thought you kept going for so long.

Yume tried to cheer her up but Rin just burst.

-and what that give me! You know what each failure means to me!

-that’s why I always said that you should use different method to it.

Find someone to help. On your place I would give up long ago.

-there is no that can help me and there is no different method!

“Yes, there is no different method than to try and try again.”

Yume could see the change in Rin’s eyes. Rin was hesitating just a second ago but now it were they eyes prepared to fight. Still they were different from usual.

Rin stood up from the table.

-Amy, you are not going to?

-good bye, Mary.

Rin answered with sad voice.

-Amy wait! You can’t go there now! Remember you still didn’t level up back yet, what about the preparations? ...

Rin no longer listened to her friend and started walking to the stairs.

-don’t go there that fast Amy!

Yume’s shout could not stop her. Rin’s went straight to the tomb of the Edward Third the Great.

Normally in her preparation Rin would first regain her levels then gather necessary things for fight from her house. If she ran out from those things, she would also have to stockpile it first. Then and only then she would make another try at the tomb. There were other factors as well. Sometimes after waking up she would just say ‘no, let’s do it tomorrow’ and the try would be delayed, she needed to have maximum focus and be in best condition for it. Also if someone was to stop her on her way and she would have to fight them, she would make an extra hour of rest. She also had a rule where she wouldn’t try to do more than two tries a month. Today however each of those rules was broken. Unprepared, unleveled and without clean mind, she was going for the try. Also on her way, few minutes after entering the forest someone have stopped there.

-hi there, can I take a second of your time.

It was the man from silver hand order whose name Rin no cared to remember.

-no.

Rin answered without looking at him. She was already in her brown cloak which covered her completely.

It looked like man was surprised by something as he didn’t follow up right away but then he run after her few seconds later and asked.

-did I upset you? If yes then I am sorry. Still, I came here to find you, as I wanted to ask for a duel with famous Queen of Blades. It doesn’t have to be right now but I really want to…

[Unlimited blade, stage three, golden gate.]

A golden mist started to form around Rin and in few seconds it was clearly visible. The edges of ruby weapons started to appear on its surface and they were all pointed into man direction. She was not looking at him though.

-I take that you accept? ...

Tone of man’s voice changed a little as he somewhat lost his cool seeing the scene before him.

-em… those won’t come flying at me all at once, will they?

He followed up with question after equipping a metal shield with mark of the silver hand on it and unsheathing his sword. But what he didn’t want to see, happened right away.

The fight lasted about 10 seconds. When first wave of sword arrived man block some of them with his shield, other were deflected with some kind of yellow barrier. It was surprising that he managed to do anything as when they started they were no more than two meters away from each other so he had a second to react. Still that barrier didn’t last long and the results of the ‘fight’ came right away.

The dead body of blond haired knight. Rin didn’t even stop to look at him and continued forward. She did not found out if her opponent was good or if he was bad. Just as there wasn’t a single player that managed to land a hit on her, there also wasn’t a single player that could do anything about third stage of that skill. At least, Rin never meet any of those. Even people that would double her with level would still die the same upon being attacked by the rain of swords.

Rin finally reached the entrance to the tomb but then she stopped and nearly fell to the ground. It was because she used the third stage of golden gate without preparation. At her ‘current level’ it was not something that she could freely use. Also she would normally drink a potion before using it to avoid the after effect but this time she did not do it.

But this time that after effect was what saved her.

“There only thing that will happen if I go there now and that is my meaningless death from his sword.”

She understood that her chances of winning today were even worse than usual and in normal circumstances they were 0%. In a way, the silver hand knight that she just killed did save her as he made her realize her state as normally the after effect wasn’t nearly as bad.

She moved away from the tomb and walked to the first green ground that was near. She fall down on it right away then few moments later she fallen asleep.

The try number sixteen at the tomb of Edward third the Great did not happen that day. It was postponed till the preparations were completed. Rin decided that next time, she will use any means necessary to win against her enemy and finally defeat the ‘nameless’ knight.

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=333&t=3486