Chapter 35 “Chase.”

The last fight of the second round just ended and as everyone anticipated the winner was Rin. Although Arata did not see the end of the fight as it moved away from the position he was sitting in and even though he wanted to look at it, he would not stand up and move closer so no one thinks that he would want to look at it.

While watching this fight Arata understood few things. The most important thing that he understood was that he still have a long way to go to actually challenge Rin and has realistic chance at winning. Earlier on he hoped that with use of EOA’s skills and some luck he might have a realistic chance of winning. Arata was even willing to bet on using his basic magic to try and recreated his shining sword skill, which so far worked only twice. Even if chances of working it again were slim, should it work, Arata’s chances would go up drastically. But right now Arata no longer had this opinion. Few seconds ago he saw how EOA’s skills or basic magic works against Rin or rather he saw, how it doesn’t work. What was worse Rin probably still had many skills that Arata did not see, although there shouldn’t be anything worse than what he already saw. Still Arata was not worried about facing against those ‘flying red things spell’ as he called it. It was because Rin would not even need to use them against him. Just a second ago Arata saw as someone really strong tried to take on Rin. The guy even managed to withstand full frontal assault from Rin at her hopefully top speed to which Arata would get overwhelmed. Apart from that Hiro was using basic magic left and right with a great effect but it still wasn’t enough for him to make Rin use ‘that skill’. Why did Arata knew that Hiro use basic magic? He thought of it the instant someone said that Hiro never had skills like that before. Then there was also something else that picked his interest and that was how Hiro suddenly started to name some of his spells. Even more surprisingly was the pattern of naming those spells as it was ‘spell’number’name’. From what Arata heard it was the exact same pattern as the one Arcon Shadenine was using. Sure he did not see that guy himself but he could believe others from his guild.

“Maybe it’s a standard naming sequence for basic magic spells?”

Arata explained it as this as he could not imagine the connection between those two and even if it did exist this had nothing to do with him.

But still in the end, even though Hiro managed to cast few incredible spells with basic magic the fight was still completely one sided. Right now Arata would want to say, ‘I can’t wait for a final and finally beat her’, but even though he would always think of winning, in the end Arata was quite realistic.

-ahh… .

Arata raised his hands up and then fall backward to the ground and started lying there.

-what’s up Arata?

Levi asked seeing his reaction.

-Levi, we will never beat her.

-oh, you only found out about it now?…

Levi answered obviously.

-you should know that you don’t get tiles like untouchable queen of blades and become rank zero of city arena for nothing. You should understand that 100% win rate at arena really means a lot.

-arena? We fought in that arena as well and as I remember I one shooted the so called rank one from there. I don’t see why would you use it as your main argument.

-okay so I will explain it to you in a way that even a newbie like you will understand.

-who are you calling a newbie?

-well, listen to this and think if you are a newbie or not. In arena fights there are no restrictions on fighter’s levels. Fights are not divined in groups so people who are fighting doesn’t necessary have similar level. That means that someone with level 120 can fight against someone who doubles him and is on 240 and it’s still called legit fight.

-so, you are telling me that she fought against people over 200th level and still won everything?

-yep, exactly like that. I don’t know how many players would actually travel all the way to Karma just to fight her but there are players that would immediately come after hearing about someone with 100% win rate as it would bring them fame for defeating that person.

-even if they completely overwhelm her with level?

-even then.

-okay Levi I have a question. How big difference level makes as the game progresses? I mean if you can defeat someone who doubles your level then something is off.

-ah, why do I have to hear so many newbie question lately.

-will you answer or not?

-haha, well it goes like this. From 1 to 100 there are quite big increases in stats. From 100 to 199 they are not that big anymore. But then there is 199 to 200 where your stats really go up like crazy, especially the defensive one. Up to level 200 you usually get one shoot by many attacks but then after level 200 it is somewhat different. That’s how my info goes at least because as you well know after dying those two times I am only few levels above you. Just so you know losing all those levels still hunts me every night.

-you should be careful not to die again then.

-hmm, currently I am asking for getting killed again by doing quest of rank 3 though…

Levi looked down when he said that.

-anyway returning to the conversation, from 200 up its once again low increase. Anyway in general from now on, apart from getting through 200th level barrier the increases are small.

-so the biggest difference is between 199 and 200?

-yes, people are even saying that they feel like they have been reborn at that point…

“Hmm, maybe I should rush with that level after all and then have an easy go with the quest.”

-although if you just thought that you should sprint with level and go for the challenge right away, it’s not something that you go without preparation.

-really, is it that hard?

-well yea. Remember when I told you that beating 300th level barrier is impossible. Well beating 200th level barrier is half-impossible. Well Rin would probably manage to do it no problem though.

-if she already beats player over 200th then it would be strange if she didn’t also if she could not beat that barrier then probably no one could.

Arata made an obvious statement.

-well, not only she has genuine technique of sword fighting but also that skill. You know what Arata I have an interesting theory on that skill.

-it seems like you want to share it with me, so what is it?

-well, as we have learned, skill she received that skill after completing the quest of rank six, right?

-well that’s what she said and Yume also confirmed it.

-still even though this rank is already really high, don’t you think that this skill is somewhat too strong? I already saw some good skills that were rewarded to those that completed the quest of rank 6. No, I even personally know someone who was directly involved in the quest of rank four and still his skill reward was not nearly as imposing.

-so are you telling me that it’s some kind of bug or that despite it having rank 6 it was harder than other quests?

-one might think like that but I arrived at some theory that actually explains that. Quests of rank four were completed by groups of 500th people or more working together as there were some incredible huge battles there, then all other quests are also usually completed by groups with large number of people. Even the quest of rank 10 is usually completed by full group of 5 people.

-but I completed few quests already and it’s actually was either alone or with no more one extra person.

-I was getting it but exactly as you said there exist people who also have this attitude and will try to complete their quests alone and after seeing what Rin got from the quest of rank 6, I arrived at the theory that if you complete the quest in smaller groups your reward will be higher and then if you complete the quest alone then you have a chance for something overpowered.

“Well, I guess it has a lot of sense and it also confirms why Wizard didn’t want to let us have more than five people.”

-still, do people who help you without having the quest also count?

Arata asked the question as if the answer was positive then them joining together with others would be a mistake.

-I don’t know it’s just something I heard from my sister.

-didn’t you say it was your theory?

-well my sister was still not sure when she said that and using her inspiration and after finding the proof the theory appeared. Still I think that it won’t be affected by people without the quest.

-so you are saying that all quest rewards have their sum of gold and it’s natural that the more people are going to receive the reward the less gold will each individual get. So, it’s nothing complicated but rather than everyone having individual rewards there is one reward that is being split to everyone who had the quest.

Arata ended up understanding the theory better than the one who thought it up.

-oh, you dressed it up in such good words. It’s still my theory though.

-rather than calling it theory it should be obvious knowledge for anyone who completed few quests or know few people who did.

-hmm, you might think like that but only after seeing Rin’s skill, I finally got the last hint so it’s not that obvious.

-still returning to what you said earlier, you are telling me that 200th level barrier is hard enough that I won’t be able to beat it?

-well, you would definitely not be able to one-shot it like the one on 100th level but I guess in few tries you would be able to do it, I will give you that. Well I am talking only about current you who just passed 100th level. Before you reach 199th you will probably be some overpowered beast.

-oh, hearing a complement like this from you, I am touched.

-I am just saying what I see, still don’t think that it means that I am planning on losing to you.

-yes, yes… anyway what does…-

Arata wanted to ask what does 200th level barrier involved but stopped as he saw something that he really did not expect to see.

-hey Arata, it’s the world’s end!

This was Levi’s comment to that scene before them.

-well, it may be unexpected to you but I told you that Rin is really good person at heart.

-no, I thought you were joking at that time.

-no, I really meant it. And now you can see for yourself.

At this moment before their eyes they could see Rin, Hiro and Mika coming back to where everyone was. Still there would be nothing unusual if they were simply walking there, after all Rin’s and Hiro’s fight just ended and Mika went there to heal up her ‘dead’ brother. But they were not simply walking. In the first place, Hiro was currently not walking at all but rather he was being transported. And the unusual thing was that it was Rin who was transporting him.

She was doing it in a very interesting or rather creative way. She summoned few of her red long weapons that weren’t sharp probably spears and made flying bed out from it. Adding a blanked on the top added to the effect. So, Hiro was currently being transported by ‘flying bed’ that Rin made. Also Rin was not wearing her red hood and she let her hair out to the open.

Seeing this occurrence some people quickly run up to them, to Mika to be precise as she was the one going at the front while Rin was walking behind her with Hiro in the air next to her.

-hey Mika, what happened to Hiro? You didn’t heal him up in time?

Vatras asked first.

-Tras, maybe your spell is not strong enough to withstand getting killed from Rin. Ah poor Hiro, he lost 15 levels.

Bran commented although it didn’t seem like he was that sorry.

-no, no, no, I healed him back and he is okay, it’s just… .

-yes Mika?

Vatras asked again. It seemed a little like he was her mentor in a way.

-um, it’s nothing unusual or rather Hiro told me that it will happen so there is nothing to worry about. He told me that I should just put him somewhere and after few hours he will be okay. Although he also mentioned to not be alarmed if he doesn’t awake after the day.

-does it have something to do with strange increase of power of Hiro in that fight.

This time it was Shin who asked.

-maybe… .

-maybe?

Bran repeated her words.

-in the first place Mika, do you know something about it?

Vatras asked. It seemed like everyone were quite interested in it and they were seeing it for the first time as well.

-um, I will tell you as much as I can. You know, we have an acquaintance that is playing EOA.

She started explaining.

-who doesn’t have an acquaintance like that?

-Bran, let her finish first.

Shin interrupted him.

-that person is super strong and he is been playing EOA since it came out. Remember that dragon that we tried to once hunt…

When Mika mentioned the dragon everyone’s faces somewhat got depressed.

-that person showed us a video from his VR capsule in which he defeats dragon like that alone.

-seriously?

-really?

-is that possible?

Those were their responses as they did not believe it, Mika continued.

-um… well rather than green one the one he killed was red but anyway. That person said that he will share a great secret with us that will make us stronger. It was in fact a birthday present for us. Still there was a condition to that and it was to never tell anyone about that secret, not even a part of it, under any circumstances. The moment I heard it, I right away said that I can’t keep a secret like that as I am not good at holding secrets.

=we know.

-knowing you, you would talk it out during your sleep.

Vatras added.

-that’s right, um… that’s why I didn’t hear that secret and only Hiro heard it. So if you are wondering what Hiro did then it was probably connected to that secret but I don’t know anything about it so you shouldn’t ask me. Also even if you try to ask my brother he will not tell you anything as ‘that person’ is someone my brother respects the most and he would never break a promise with him. Umm… I don’t think there is anything else that I can say but for now I have to go as I don’t want to take too much of Rin’s time after she offered to help. Let’s go, Rin!

With that, without stopping Mika walked away from everyone and Rin followed her while transporting Hiro. They walked towards ‘the elder girl’ Hikari and then, afterwards they walked in the direction of the village. At some point Yume also sprinted towards them.

Although Musashi had not occasion to shout, ‘the winner Rin’, the second round has ended and only four people remained, although everyone probably already knew who the will be the final victor will be.

-ah that guy has it good, being taken care of four girls at the time.

Levi commented seeing that group leaving.

-well I did say that Rin is a kind hearten girl, but I think she changed a little bit too much to suddenly take care of someone she just meet.

-yea I think so too. By the way Arata how was the Rin before? I mean when you meet her in real life?

-hmm, I don’t think I should be saying that to you.

-just a little won’t hurt. I won’t tell anyone.

-fine, fine. Let’s see… she was definitely much more sociable than she is now. Or rather everyone always liked to be in her presence and she was chosen as a class representative. She was also usually good to everyone around her. I was actually one of few people to who she could be mean to, but I now know that it was my fault for being a jerk. I guess her behavior would be… ah right, you do remember how she behaved with that old librarian, don’t you? It was mostly like that.

-really you are no kidding?

-no, I am not.

-what about, I don’t know, death glares or being the terror of the neighborhood.

-well, she was a terror for delinquents as she believed that she should put to use what she learned and defend those who were bullied and picked on.

-ah! So my guess at that time was right and you were one of those delinquents.

-do I look like someone like that?

Arata asked annoyed.

-yes!

Levi didn’t think for a second about his answer.

-well I wasn’t. Also even though I said all that, it’s all from my observation. I didn’t really know her and I never put any effort in doing so. Even if we were in the same class there was little connection between us that usually came from her responsibilities as class representative. And as for our training place, we didn’t talk there either but simply spared with each other from time to time, nothing else.

-hmm, what you just said seems little unbelievable seeing how she is now. How could such a good girl turn into a walking killing machine?

-you think of her like that?

-no, at least not to that extreme. But still, I would want her to be a little bit more, how you described her rather than, ‘I will die if I say this out loud’. But anyway Arata you have an idea why she changed like that?

-hmm… I do… but if I try to connect ‘that fact’ with the fact that she is playing this game right now, then I am getting afraid of my thoughts…

After hearing from the old librarian some facts about Rin, Arata came up with a theory that he would not want to even think about.

-anyway Levi, I am thinking of logging off right now so I will just go and ask when the next round will start so I know when to log back.

-okay, I guess I will do the same.

Arata walked towards the main group. Some people already left, some to village some logout although most of them were still here.

-when will be the next round?

Arata asked Musashi who was the closest to him in distance.

-tomorrow at morning, I think. Hey Shin, when will be the best time for it?

-I was also thinking of tomorrow but even though everyone already prepared themselves for playing, some of us do prefer sleeping in real world so we might as well go for a longer break. That is the other option at least, you decide what is better.

-either way in three days we go for are going for the west and the decision doesn’t affect that many people anymore as not everyone must be present during last fight.

Vatras added.

-Tras is right, the people who are still in the tournament should decide as it effects them, so Musashi go ahead.

Shin passed on the decision to someone else.

-you are also still in a tournament Shin.

-I am fine either way, I will not log out for more than an hour or so.

-well I also fine either way.

Musashi answered.

-but you still have to decide.

-Musashi, remember you said you will take care of tournaments.

Vatras added.

-fine then… oh I know, we should let Arata decide, he is also still in the tournament as well.

-great idea!

-we should make it comfortable for the guests.

In the end they could not decide and left it to Arata.

-you really want to let me do it?

-yes why not?

-at this point it really doesn’t matter.

Vatras added.

-we will follow what you say. Anyway apart from today we are staying here for three more days so it can take place any of those days, if you want to force it, we can even play the last round at evening of today.

Shin laid down all the options.

“If it’s fine for them either way then I might as well decide. Let’s see. If I am already logging out, I would want a longer log out especially if we are going for a long expedition on which there will probably be no time for that. I did want to explore this village a little but I don’t need that much time for that and I already saw the most of it in general. It will be at morning so I will have around 14 hours in real.”

-I will be going for a longer break now, so let’s do it on the last day.

-okay it’s decided…

With this confirmation from Musashi, Arata walked away.

-so Shin, what do you think about Hiro’s new power and that secret?

It seemed like they were going to discuss what just happen but Arata wasn’t that interested in it as he already figured it out. He walked towards Levi, told him when the next round will take place and logged out.

Arthur Rain left the capsule and the first thing he did was to look at the clock, even though he did check the time in game menu as well before logging out.

“Still not the time.”

Unfortunately the game did not lie to him and he still had to wait for his ‘most desired time of the day’.

“In this case, let’s list down the things I have to do before I forget about them. One: have a nice sleep. Two: eat something, a lot at that. Three: clean myself. That’s the basic needs, the other thing I need to do is to think up the way of how to defeat Rin before I fight her again, which will probably be soon.”

Even though his chances were slim, Arthur still wanted to win. Also today he found out that having a good strategy might really turn the tides, he learned it on his own skin. For the first time he lost a fight in EOA not because of ‘overwhelming numbers’. Those were both numbers of enemies and number in level. No, this time he lost the fight that he should have won, or at least the fight in which he had an advantage. As his grandfather once taught him, if you want to become stronger then losses are well more valuable than wins. Study your failure and let it lead you to future victories. There was a time that Arthur did not believe those words as they were coming from someone who never losses but they were very true.

“But then again, to win against her I need really good tactic.”

The word ‘impossible tactic’ would probably been better but Arthur would not go to that extreme, at least not just yet.

“Anyway, I will go outside to refresh my mind and while I go outside I might as well do the training. I prefer running before eating anyway.”

Arthur quickly changed into his ‘running clothes’ and went outside. He took the usual running route or rather he never chosen a different one. If he were to do that he would easily lost a track of how long he already run and how much he still has to go. While running the same distance he only needed to think of reaching certain points on his way and don’t think about anything. Although this time he had things to think about.

“Let’s see, before going into the details I need to think of ways to deal with her skills first. It might be that she won’t even need to use them but if that will be the case then I already lost. So let’s not think of that option. First and foremost, those ‘flying red things’.”

Arthur started a strategy meeting in his head.

“Apart from dodging it, there is nothing else I can do. In the last resort I can use sword slash to buy myself few seconds but apart from that nothing. Sword slashing it is not a good option though as even if it’s cost went down it still takes 20% of my mana and Rin can shoot those ‘flying red things’ for few minutes like nothing. I even did saw her doing that in her fight against crimson knight. The fact that crimson knight was taking it like nothing doesn’t mean much as that guy could take my sword slashes like nothing as well. It was actually a miracle that I got that guy but that also means that I just need a miracle this time as well.”

Arthur found his way, he just needed a miracle. Although this time that miracle would have to be much more stronger.

“No let’s change this way of thinking and think opposite. Rin does not want to use that skill. I kind of understand it as where would be the fun if she were to win every fight with just the use of that skill. If she were to rely on it too much then she would not get any better in other fields. I also kind of have this mindset.”

The analyze continued.

“So in short, rather than forcing her to use that skill, I have to win against her before she uses it. Hmm, that really solves a problem as in this game players doesn’t have that high HP as it’s realistic in that regard. With right attack you can easily one-shoot anyone. There shouldn’t be anyone who will still move after slashing out their heads. Hmm, well there are people like Gerald who have some awesome barriers which may defend them from simple attacks but whatever. Rin doesn’t have anything like that. And if she does then its game over anyway.”

Arthur actually did not know how far does Rin’s strength go, especially after Levi’s explanation on how she probably beaten people with over 200th level.

“It shouldn’t be that bad though. I don’t see her beating Gerald at least. I think their fight would be something like, her using her ‘red flying things’ at him but those would simply break down upon hitting his barrier while Gerald would, first laugh, then tell her how her skill is named, what class she has and probably even her favorite color and maybe even the name of her lost kitten that she once had.”

What was scary in those thought was that it was not exactly impossible.

“Anyway returning to countering her skill, I don’t need to counter ‘that skill’. What else there is? … Hmm… there is a problem as I am not exactly sure when she is actually using a skill and when does she simply moves her body that way. I wonder if she has some kind of speed buff that makes her faster as the fight goes on?”

To Arthur it actually looked like that but it was nothing of that sort.

“Then there is that whirlwind thing or rather tornado. Would that count as a wind spell maybe? If so maybe I could somehow counter it with my sword enchanter abilities? Still, I never saw any red tornados so it’s probably not it and her class didn’t seem to use magic in the first place.”

There were skills and spells, although using both of those names wasn’t necessary and both could be called either skills or spells. The main difference between them was that one used stamina and other mana. The effect, however were usually something magical or rather something that you shouldn’t be normally be able to do in real life.

“Somehow I can’t see it working, anyway getting close to that red hurricane is also not the best idea. She was also using that skill as a defensive maneuver but my sword slash should get through it. I will not try to ‘black dash’ through it though. But anyway, I don’t see any of my plays that will make using that skill really necessary. It’s more of AOE skill anyway.”

Arthur continued his theories.

“There was also that ‘spike thing’, although I shouldn’t have problem dodging that as its activation is quite obvious. It will be like getting out from ‘bad circle’.”

In his games Arthur had a lot of experience of escaping from ‘bad circles’ and even if he didn’t do it that much in a while and it was with the use of keyboard, he was sure that he would at least escape that.

“What else. I think that she also has some kind of ‘throw weapon’ skill as I managed to see that when she threw her sword it started to shine in red colored light. Hmm, if it were just a simple throw then it wouldn’t be a problem and I could simply parry it out but when some magic is involved it might end badly like when I was trying to parry out, the hammer of justice once. It didn’t look any special but upon contact, puff, my sword flied away. Still once again I don’t see a reason to why she would use that skill on me anyway.”

Even though it was good idea to think of a counters so far Arthur always ended up as ‘she does not need to use it against me or it will not be very helpful anyway’.

“Okay let’s stop thinking about counters as it leads to nothing. I am DPS anyway so rather than focusing on how to survive this or that, I should focus on how to defeat her before she does this or that. First and foremost, I am opening with a lighting speed and keep it on for the whole fight…”

It seemed like good idea.

“But she also has that skill and probably on higher level too so rather than helping it will only get worse because of that.”

Or maybe not.

“In that case rather than being obvious about its use, I should use it in deciding moment before she uses it… ah! I think that this whole thing leads me nowhere. This is just not fair, my usual best tactic doesn’t work what else can I do?”

Arthur’s usual best tactic was ‘bring it down to pure swordsmanship and let his grandfather techniques do the trick’. Unfortunately this time it could not work and at the same time Arthur had to worry about his grandfather techniques doing the trick for his opponent.

“Okay I am done, I didn’t think of anything new apart from trying to use ‘black dash’ or ‘sword slash’ from a close range.”

Those two were his obvious ideas that at least had chance of working.

“Although I can’t even surprise her with any of those two as she already saw how I used them while I fought against the crimson knight.”

-this is simply no fair! I don’t care anymore.

Arthur said that but if he didn’t care in the first place he would give up long ago.

“I need to get stronger.”

With this last thought Arthur somehow increased his running speed.

For the first time while playing EOA Arthur found a desire to get stronger as so far he was simply lazing around. It was not like he was weak, he was actually really strong. Some would ever call him a perfect player and would envy his skills. He had all qualities that a good player in EOA should have. Fighting experience, good reaction speed, quick decision making and large amount of knowledge of gaming worlds and also time to play. Maybe he was lacking a little in knowledge about EOA but that never really hinder him that much. With all those qualities Arthur was incredibly strong but even so his strength seemed like nothing if he wanted to compare himself with those who achieved the greatness in EOA. It all comes down to a single thing, the game was out for two years already. It might seem like nothing if compare it to other games but the feature of increased game time inside EOA was what making the big difference. There probably weren’t any people that managed to stay in EOA for 10 years but for a hard nolife 8 years would already be possible. Even average player who would spent, only few hours a week and played since the beginning would already accumulate about a year of game time. No matter how good someone may be, if someone started not even a month ago in real life time then it’s not possible to close that gap. Arthur did know that fact really well and that’s why he was lax about it and didn’t really care when for example Gerald powned him badly in their mock fight. But somehow while losing to Rin it was not that. Rather than being lax about it, Arthur felt motivated to strengthen himself and beat her.

Arthur heard a story from Hiro about how he and his teammates got fascinated by Rin and by meeting her they found a desire to get stronger and started to train. Right now, one could say Arthur was in exact same position, he also got fascinated by her and she became his goal.

Today’s Arthur’s usual training somehow evolved. The distance that he ran somehow doubled and then after finishing that training, he continued with others trainings as well. He didn’t practice them ever since coming back to this city but he did have all equipment he needed as ‘somehow’ it was packed in one of the boxes that Arthur brought his grandfather’s house.

The practice that Arthur did was probably not something that would actually help him in EOA right now but even so it helped him a little to calm himself down and also doing it once again was quite fun for him.

The first phase of his training took him four hours after which Arthur realized what time it already was. He then went to the bathroom, cleaned himself. After that he ate the quick but large dinner.

The next six hours Arthur spent on his ‘favorite activity’ that he had right now. Originally it was planned to take only three to four hours but as every time so far the ‘favorite activity’ got extended as number of subjects to talk about was endless when it came to talking with ‘her’.

After his ‘favorite activity’ ended, Arthur somehow rather than sleeping once again started to train and so his second phase of training began. Arthur didn’t give up on sleeping though but simply decided that he might as well go to sleep in EOA so he can enjoy it to the fullest which means a long sleep rather than few hours nap.

And as he planned he did, adding a short shower between.

Arata appeared in the same place where he logged out from. It was still an hour or so before the night but because of the dark forest that surrounded him it was already quite dark. Arata didn’t see anyone around so he went straight to sleeping as planned. Also he founded quite comfortable place for it, namely a comfortable sofa that somehow was placed under one of the threes. It was the perfect sleeping place.

-hey! Wake up!…

After few hours, Arata was jerked by the shoulder which woke him up from the beautiful dream he had.

-it’s your turn.

What was worse, the voice did not stop.

-eh… who is this?…

Arata finally answered with half awoken half voice. Then he opened his eyes.

-ah, it’s you Levi.

He then said.

-what with this disappointed voice. Ah, I think I understand what you wanted. But Arata, something like begin woken up by beautiful girl in the morning with morning kiss happens only in fiction.

-hmm, I wouldn’t say so, I already experienced few times.

Levi joked around but Arata answered seriously after stretching himself.

-ah… you once again reminded me how much I hate you for ‘this’. Still if it really happened few times then Arata, can I ask you a serious question?

-serious question from you? That’s something new, go ahead.

-okay, then the question is as follows…

Levi prepared himself and then asked with higher voice.

-what the hell are you still doing here? I mean, if I had a girl that would give me morning kisses to wake me up then going straight to her would be the first thing I would do, and nothing would stop me. If I didn’t have money for the journey, I would steal the fastest horse from the stables and go through the lands, through the winds without stopping for a ‘pee break’. Ah, I messed it up at the end.

Levi’s excited talk ended in unexciting way.

-well, I often ask that question myself and I reached an answer that is enough for me to hold back on doing everything you just said. Although I would be doing pee breaks.

-forget the last part okay. So your answer what?

-it simple. I think people shouldn’t be all lovely dovey all the time. She is the most important to me but at the same time she shouldn’t be the only important for me. Both of us should also have the other things we enjoy. We both enjoy playing games so we are doing it right now, then we have something to talk about on the phone later on and also something to do together at some point when we meet again, hopefully soon. But even so, it’s not that we should be together 24 hours a day. You think that situation where two people who just adores themselves and think about each other all the time is a good couple?

“Well, we are doing it often but it’s not something I need to tell him though.”

Arata thought to himself deep in his heart.

-I see, so it’s like that.

-exactly. When we started going out, we didn’t really have an idea what couples should do, so we decided to just to continue what we would do normally and don’t think much about it. We were sure that it will work out on its own, and so far it is working quite well. There is no need to rush anything.

-I see, I see, very reasonable but what about those times when you stare at the moon with a head filled with thoughts of her. It’s clear that you are thinking of her at that time.

Levi shot down all Arata’s arguments at once.

-about that, even though what I just told you is what I think, that resolves weakens sometimes, especially in times that I remember ‘that’ night.

-okay, you don’t have to say anything else. Why did I even asked that question? Whenever I hear you talking about ‘her’ I just hate you more…

Levi fussed at the end.

-anyway now that you have woken up, get ready for your fight as it will be starting soon.

-ah, I don’t feel like doing anything today, Levi will you switch with me?

After sleeping, Arata didn’t feel like doing anything.

-personally I would want to switch with you but it’s probably against rules.

-but if you were to dress up like me, no one would ever know.

-even if I seriously ever thought about that, where would I find a wig that would look as strange as your hair.

They both started joking around.

-fine, fine…

Arata stood up and looked around. Most of people were already here and the few missing were no longer directly involved in the tournament. Still, because one particular person was missing, Arata got interested and asked.

-Hiro is not here?

Arata could not see any of the two azure heads.

-you mean that mage? From what I heard he logged out after he woke up which was one and half a day after his fight. He is to appear at when we will be taking out to the west, which is later this day when this tournament finishes. That’s at least what others told me.

Levi answered.

-I see.

-but this game is sometimes annoying. Arata did you know that if you fall unconscious you can log out but if you do that then you get an automatic death?

-hmm, I think I had an episode like that once. I did not log out as it would be a waste though.

-exactly, that makes players who goes unconscious stay unconscious and hope for the best.

-by the way, while we are at it, how does logging out during a fight work? It would be good to know.

-well, I don’t know if you tried but you can’t simply log out in combat. But the ‘combat phase’ is not defined well so usually when you are in any danger that would threaten your life you can’t log out. Of course it’s not like you can’t log out if you really want to. Still if you do that at that time you will get the message that ‘if you log out you will die’. This message does help, as thanks to that you are avoiding ‘logging out deaths’ but even so, sometimes you just have to do something and it can’t be helped. But if you have to do something important, you just have to plan it beforehand and avoid the log out death.

-thanks for info. I am going for the fight now.

Arata went to where usually fights started. Apart from ‘missing people’ the others were already waiting for the fight to start. Musashi was already waiting although he always stood there throughout the whole tournament.

-okay let’s not waste any second and go on with. You draw the card Arata.

Musashi instructed him as the person from the left side of the bracket was always drawing the card. This was the first time that Arata was drawing it though as with his number four in the bracket he was always on the right side so far.

Arata walked towards the bucket and draw one of the three remaining cards. There were three of them left.

“Let’s see, oh I finally got normal card. Also it’s something that I am really used to do.”

-scenario: a long fight still awaits you and you don’t know how strong your future opponents will be. It would be best if you were in top condition to fight against them and that’s why save your stamina for later. Condition: defeat your opponent without a use of stamina skills.

There already was a condition where players couldn’t use mana skills so this card was probably a counter-part to it to make if fair for mana users as well. This card favorite Arata a little as he had mana spells as well. Only few but he had. Also he suspected his opponent to don’t have them.

-ah, crap there goes my whole plan, well it’s not like I had many chances anyway…

Musashi commented after hearing the message. Still it was still not that bad for him as Arata’s attack power would also decrease with this card.

-I will focus on tanking then. Try to break through my defense Arata. Are you ready?

Musashi had his tower shield and trident equipped and ready for Arata’s assault.

-sure.

Arata just answer.

-okay, ready start go!

Musashi voiced the signal to start the fight. He was still doing it even if he was the one fighting. Still, even though he did that the fight didn’t start right away. Because of nature of his play style Musashi went into defensive formation right way and just stood there with his weapons ready. Arata on the other hand completely relaxed didn’t even unsheathed his weapons yet.

“Why should I attack into someone who wants me to attack?”

Arata already saw what Musashi could do, and he arrived at conclusion that breaking through his defenses would be too troublesome for him. It’s better to just wait. Then again if both of them would choose that tactic, it would be a stalemate. Arata was well aware of that but he just came to conclusion that either Musashi will attack in the end or if stalemate lasts for some time, he will drop his guard down at some point. Arata already recognized that the first seconds of the fight will be most difficult as he needed to pass Musashi’s line of defense, otherwise there will be no occasion for him to get close, while on the other hand Musashi will be able to attack as his range is larger.

“Hmm, maybe I should just sword slash for the win?”

Arata thought like that for a second but he reached the conclusion that it would not be fun. Also just attacking with that skill was no good against prepared tank. Tanks in this game can withstand a powerful blows of boss class monsters.

The stalemate continued for about two minutes and finally came the moment for which Arata was waiting for.

-well, this is kind of awkward.

Musashi said to him and the moment he do Arata rushed forward. The distance between them was about four meters so it wasn’t big but at the same time it wasn’t small. Musashi more or less got ready right away upon Arata’s attack but still it wasn’t as solid as a second ago.

Arata went in the straight line forward. Musashi tried to attack with his trident but Arata pushed it back with both of his swords that he unsheathed during the run. After pushing it back he move the last meter while slicing his swords on the trident and at the end Arata made a powerful blow at the shield that was in a way. The large bang could be heard, Musashi did not move back even a millimeter though. After the first attack Arata just kept on slashing onto Musashi’s shield like crazy. It was a large tower shield that completely covered him but at the same time it was interfering with Musashi’s vision when his opponent was too close to him. Musashi slowly started to retreat to the back to get to range that was more favorable for him but of course Arata would not let him do it.

“As close as possible, this is the way to beat him. And luckily for me, he can’t use his shield slam because of restriction.”

Arata saw Musashi’s previous fight with Flynn which he mostly dominated because of the positions they were in. In that fight there was just a single time that Musashi used a skill and that was when Flynn got to close, Arata right away understood that this is the position that Musashi is uncomfortable with and used it.

Musashi’s fall back did not work so he started with something else. First he tried with a trident but it was quite hard to do anything with it as Arata was right near the shield that just as it blocked him it also blocked Arata from getting attacked. Also Musashi had to focus his strength on holding his shield in defense of Arata’s assault. In the end Musashi was left with one option and that was to make a ‘shield slam’ on his own, without use of the game skill.

“Too slow.”

Musashi’s shield attack looked quite powerful but Arata was prepared or rather was waiting for it. He quickly went to the right with a spin to dodge it. From there he had a clean position to strike.

-hrua!

But Musashi also could attack from there. While he pushed forward the shield with his left hand, his right hand was holding a trident that was pointed right to where Arata went after dodging. The trident went underneath arm that was holding the shield and stroke at Arata’s legs.

“Oh”

Arata little surprised but not really concerned jumped up onto Musashi’s left arm and landed there with one leg. Then right away he jumped upward once again, made a fast flip in the air and with the power of that flip went straight at the head which was the only part that was not covered in heavy plate armor. Arata’s moves were so crazy that Musashi did not react in time. He also kind of entangled himself with his last attack. He also couldn’t pick up his shield up as Arata just made a step on his arm which hurt.

But then just when Arata’s sword was about to cut through Musashi’s skull as it was not covered by helmet, something stopped Arata’s sword in the mid-air as the blue gray crystal appeared in the air.

“Hey, it’s against rules, all well in that case, I will sword slash him and it’s not against the rules as its mana spell.”

Musashi was the one who cheated first so Arata could do that as well now that the fight should be finished but then just before he used sword slash with the second sword, his black sword cut through the crystal defense and just as Arata originally wanted, Musashi’s skull ended up being split in half by his sword.

Still it was not a perfect victory as Arata after his acrobatics in the air landed on the back.

“Auch.”

-ah, poor Musashi, his long winning streak against melee dps just ended.

Bran commented the fight, although he was not sorry for his friend at all given his grin.

After showing everyone two flawless victories in his fight, Arata’s fights was no longer surprise to most them and they somehow got used to it. Also they couldn’t be really impressed by it when someone even more incredible than him was making even better kills.

-that’s wrap up the first semi-final…

Shin said while marking Arata’s win on winning bracket. But then he somehow also marked the second one as well even though it didn’t even start yet.

-hey Shin is cheating!

His action was not unnoticed though.

-you have to fight it out first Shin. There is no running from it, so erase what you just wrote.

Vatras instructed him while he started healing Musashi with the other healer, Thesar.

-fine.

The second semi-final was once again open.

“Well I am not surprised by the fact that he thinks he will lose. I don’t see Rin getting caught in his games and even if she does, she can overpower anything anyway.”

If someone were to describe the whole tournament in a single word then the best word would be either ‘unfair’ or ‘unbalanced’.

Musashi was put back into one piece quite fast and the next fight could start soon. In the meantime Arata went back to his usual position.

-ah… experiencing his attacks on your own skin is something different. By the way Arata! I was not cheating or anything. That ability activates on its own before I get critical damage, so it’s actually a passive that doesn’t use stamina…

Musashi commented on his fight.

“I see so it’s like this.”

Arata got an explanation on why Musashi ‘cheated’. It seemed like his ability was one that activated itself depending on circumstances. In a way it was good for him as the ability would activate itself if someone was threating his life and Musashi wouldn’t be quick enough to activate it on his own, on the other however, that ability looked useful in the offense as well so not being able to use it at will was lowering its usefulness.

-okay, I see you two are already ready for it.

In the time Musashi was waking up from being dead, Rin and Shin were already got ready for another semi-final. Well Rin was ready, Shin’s face was saying, “why me?”.

-it’s not fair, I should have lost in the first match, what I am doing in the semi-finals?

Shin complained right away.

-stop complaining and draw the card. Maybe you will another ‘Yolo win’. You won’t get killed in more horrible way than me.

Musashi cheered him up. It would be hard to get worse treatment than instant-kill by having your skill split in half despite cheating. Still that didn’t help Shin much as he continued.

-still, I do know what two cards are left there. One is 100% my loss and other is 100% my loss.

-didn’t you say that one of them is a team fight 6v6? You should have a chances in that?

-yes, Shin never loses the team fight.

-we will see miracle.

-aye, if it’s Shin it’s possible.

There were some cheers but as always Shin did not believe in himself.

-well, if it were a team fight then maybe I see a slight chance of winning.

-is that so? It will be interesting then.

Suddenly Rin answered to Shin’s slacking.

-no, no, no, no, no. It will not be interesting for you.

-isn’t it that you never lose the team battle?

-it’s a lie, it’s my teammates that win those. Anyway let’s first draw the card I want to get it over with…

Shin was the one to draw the card this time and when he saw what his draw his face palmed himself.

-ah, this will be so humiliating.

He said under the nose.

-what, it isn’t a team battle?

Musashi asked.

-Shin there is nothing humiliating to lose against her. Even Hiro got reckt.

Bran cheered him up.

-no, it is a team battle. Although in truth it probably won’t be.

Shin said under his nose.

-what do you mean? If the rules say team battle, it is a team battle.

Vatras asked.

-well listen to scenario first. It goes like this. Massive team battle with maximum of 6 people in each group. Condition: you must lead your team to victory which means defeating everyone from the opposing team. Rules: You do not choose your own group but your opponent is doing it for you. You have to prioritize people who lost their first matches so they can take part in more fights. If this card was drawn in the first round, this restriction doesn’t count. Both players choose 5 teammates for their opponents but you can also limit your team to smaller numbers if you prefer it that way. So choosing your opponent players that they don’t get along with may proof to be good tactic.

-so that means I can reject all?

Rin asked right away.

-ah why did I know you will ask this question.

Shin answered right away.

-if I were to have a team with me, my plan was to tell them to stay at the side but if I can reject them all, then I reject them all.

Rin stated without much consideration.

-are you sure you want to do it? You might regret it.

Musashi ended up asking.

-I heard from Mary that this guy never lost a team battle so I will bring it to 1 vs 6. That’s not a team battle so he won’t win.

In a way, what Rin said actually made a lot of sense. Although she was the only one that could use that logic here especially with enemy numbers like this.

-hey Shin, if it’s 6v1 then maybe you can win?

Vatras asked.

-no, my chances would have been better if it were 6v6. And now, as I said, it will be humiliating. So Rin, who will share my fate?

Shin ended up asking her although his eyes were already dead and probably there was no cheering that would make him lose that sight.

-if you don’t try seriously, you will regret it.

Rin however managed to make him lost that sight in a second and motivate him using ‘encouraging words’.

-fine, fine, fine. I will try to do what I can. So who will share my fate?

-hmm… who would you want?

-you know that you just asked me a question which friend should I just sacrifice.

Shin answered with a smirk.

-okay, in this case I will change my question. I want you to use that ability that ability of yours with which you took down my pitiful teammates.

“Who is pitiful?”

Arata thought to himself in a distance.

-you mean you will let me use it?

-yes, thanks to that it will be a good training for me. So who do you want?…

After Rin said that, in that moment, Shin’s eyes changed as if his doom was not a sure thing anymore. And not only that, for the first time he saw a chance for winning this rather than just being slaughtered. When there was a chance for winning he would go for it with everything he had.

-okay, I would want four melee dps and one healer for this fight, preferably Vatras.

-hey, don’t bring me into it! I already had my dose of fighting her!

Vatras right away objected hearing that.

-if you really want then I can give him to you but I also would prefer to not have him on your team, I don’t want to kill him again.

Rin answered.

-it’s also fine. So it’s Thesar.

-okay you can have him. For dps, you can choose three melee you want but there is one person that I would want to be in your team.

-okay so can I have Kei, Lee, and Julia?

-okay that’s the tree.

-and that last person you wanted?

To this question, Rin quickly and decidedly pointed in direction of ‘ever so smiling dwarf with black beard’ and in that moment for the first time his grin disappeared.

-oj.

-oh Bran, welcome aboard.

-Shin, no, reject me!

-how can I reject you, I need the most help I can get.

-but you can ask for someone else who would be more useful in your plan!

-maybe but the rules are already alerted so much and it seems like she really wants you to be on my team. I wonder why?

Shin said sarcastically.

-those rules, is there an option for a chosen person to reject.

-no, sorry. Remember when I wanted to make that rule, you for the one said that I was just making it for myself and didn’t let me.

-aye…

Bran looked down and came over but afterwards.

-so what’s the plan?

-plan is simple. We go with my ‘full board control’ from the start and hope for the best.

-that’s not very Shin like.

Bran ended up commenting.

-that’s the only way that can bring us victory. Before there was none as even if I wanted to use it, making enough time for me to activate it would bring too many losses on this side and there wouldn’t be enough people to fight afterwards but if she is willing to let me freely then this is our best chance.

-and she is telling me that I underestimate her opponents!

In a distance Arata ended up saying it out loudly.

-I don’t think she is underestimating them. She just wants to have an interesting fight that will allow her train her abilities. Also I think she can freely do that because if something goes wrong she still has her unlimited card that she can use and automatically win against anyone.

Levi answered.

-well, sure those ‘flying red things’ looks strong but it’s not something that automatically wins you the fight, right? She couldn’t defeat the crimson knight with them.

-that guy was an exception as he had some godlike armor that could take those as you called them flying red things like raindrops, but trust me that skill is on completely different level than anything you know.

-you are overestimating it.

-just you wait till you experience it yourself. You didn’t have a chance yet did you.

-not the golden one but I experienced the smaller version of it. It seems good but I somehow can reflect it with my swords so I will do it if it comes to that.

-so optimistic as always. But when you experience it, you will never think like that again. To counter that skill you need an incredible skill on your own, there is no other way simple as that.

-I am planning to finish before she manages to use that skill so I will not worry about that.

-yes you don’t need to worry about that skill as she won’t need to use it on you. Still I was just explaining why she can just go ‘yolo’ 1 vs 6 without worry.

-without worry? But that guy’s skill in combination with his teammates is also quite good.

-no shit Sherlock. I got killed by it six times in a row. Anyway seeing this fight we will learn how to fight against it as I don’t see a chance for Rin to lose.

-at that time I also didn’t think that you will lose.

-to my defense it was two on one, they aren’t that bad and that that combo is overpowered. Also unlike you, for me it happened out of nowhere, and before I realized that the ‘second guy’ was there it was too late.

-yes, yes my fault, anyway lets watch this fight.

The fight was about to start. On one side there was Shin, Julia, Kei, Lee, Bran and Thesar and on the other there was Rin. One side was completely overwhelming the other one at least in numbers, because when it came to fighting power, it might have been the other way.

-Shin you are sure we are going with that?

Kei ended up asking once again before the fight start.

-what you think Shin’s strategy can lose!

Julia right away interrupted them.

-against her? Yes, it will lose.

-aye, I agree and the reason for that will be because only Kei can actually synchronize with Shin’s full course control. You two didn’t have enough practice with that and Shin can’t even use it with you as you will just get more confused by the skill that our opponent.

-still, I will do everything I can!

-yes me too!

Julia and Lee shooted back.

-aye, but it won’t be enough. That’s why I said that this strategy isn’t very Shin-like and Kei is right, it won’t work. Well, I guess that Shin just want to give Rin what she wants and…

Bran stopped for a moment as if he was interrupted by someone but there was no sound that people could hear, at least normal people that is. Few seconds later, a grin appeared on his face once again.

-hmh, hmh… okay we are doing it! It’s Shin’s battle and Shin’s strategy. There is no need for us to do anything else than what he tells us.

-…

Kei stopped for a moment but then he just said.

-okay.

-then I guess everyone is ready. So, READY SET GO!

Musashi shouted but the second semi-final just like the first one didn’t start right away. Rin was waiting for Shin to activate his skill. Shin was already standing ten meters away from the group.

Shin stick his staff into the ground and the black circles started spread around it. They soon started to cover every inch of ground in a great distance. It was even reaching to where Arata and Levi were sitting.

-so are you ready, because after this, I will start attacking for serious.

Rin warned Shin.

-yes, you can start and we will be starting as well. First Kei! Six, three, nine! Everyone else as planned!

Shin shouted to his teammates and after a second they nearly all disappeared from the spot they were standing. Julia appeared few meters away from Rin on the left and Lee on the other side. Thesar was the only one that stayed where he was. It seemed that he was left with two jobs. One was to heal those that need heal and second was defend Shin should Rin charge at him came. Despite being a healer, he was wearing a heavy armor and had a shield and a hammer. He probably could easily do a job of tank if needed with his class ‘sixth paladin’.

Kei was the first one to make an assault. Without playing around he appeared right behind Rin in her blind spot and backstabbed with his sword right away. To that as if seeing the attack Rin spinned. It was a dodge and attack at the same time. Kei’s sword went behind her back while her double attack went at him, it would already have been a kill should Kei stay there but he was teleported before the swords managed to get to him. He then appeared behind her and once again attacked without delay. To that Rin made a short step that increased her spinning speed and continued her attack was faster than Kei’s stab. Kei blocked the swords with his glove protector but that wasn’t enough as the protector was destroyed just like that with the Rin’s spinning attack, luckily he was teleported away behind Rin before his hand was cut off. From there rather than attacking he made a quick retreat. Still, Rin went after him right away without delay as if she did know beforehand where he appeared.

In that moment Julia and Lee appeared around Rin. Lee made a low spin kick at Rin’s legs from the right while Julia pierced at Rin from the left. Rin parried Julia’s reaper, made a slight jump to avoid Lee’s attack and then with both her legs she kicked left and right pushing back both her attackers, after doing so she landed in splits on the ground. She quickly rolled backward and was on her legs in a second.

-a good warm-up…

Rin said to them with her usual voice. She wasn’t affected by the fight at all.

But then out of sudden she made an incredibly fast spin and she slashed with her sword backward.

‘bump!’

A loud sound of metal clashing could be heard. And after a second one could see a black metal bolt from a crossbow a meter away from where Rin stood.

-I see, so that was your plan.

Rin just said to that.

-hey Levi! Are you kidding me or she just reflected a bolt that was shoot from twenty meters away from her, from the biggest bushes from a person that she shouldn’t see as even the person who was shooting could not see her. Not to mention that it was completely in her blind spot.

-I would want to Arata, but did you see the speed of that move.

-… .

Arata and Levi and practically everyone else could not believe what just happen but it did happen.

-everyone!…

Seeing what happened, Shin suddenly shouted.

-let’s decide on one matter of importance very quickly! The rules of our tournament say that you have to fight no matter how unjust the condition you draw is. Still I am proposing an exception to that rule and that is, you can give up when you are fighting against ‘Rin’. Is there anyone, against it?

It seemed like Shin quickly though up the only way to survive for his team.

-Shin it’s like asking if we all want to see you six die or not?

-yes, that’s the question Tras…

Earlier on, Shin always wanted to give up but everyone did stop him saying that he is just lazy, but this time there was no one to stop him when the question was like this.

-okay there you have it, you won… .

It seemed like the battle would have an unexpected end.

-wait!…

Rin interrupted him.

-give me a minute.

Rin said that and after a second about fifteen red weapons appeared in the sky. There was no golden mist though. Then they all flied in a direction of a ‘certain bushes’. Those certain bushes suddenly started to move thought and from it, ‘one ever smiling dwarf with black beard that this time was not smiling’ came out or rather run out from. All the weapons weren’t directed only into the bushes though and one of them managed to catch the poor dwarf. The weapon did not kill him as he founded a sweet spot between one large two handed sword and a halberd. But even if the red weapons did not kill Bran, they killed his pride as the sword cut down a part of his black beard.

-nooooooooooooooo!

Bran yelled out. Even if his beard would regrow in few hours to the original state he would remember that it was not the same anymore.

-now I am satisfied but what’s wrong? This wasn’t the same conviction that you had in fight with Arata and Levi.

Rin said to Shin after she done what she wanted.

-after what you just showed I didn’t see a way to victory anymore without sacrificing someone.

Shin answered.

-yes, that’s what I was talking about, in that fight you did sacrifice your teammate to achieve victory.

-it was his fight and his call. This one however was mine and I don’t like to use sacrifice tactics if it’s not necessary. Especially when even if I were to use them the chances of winning would still increase only by little. I just hope that I didn’t disappoint you by not giving you enough entertainment here still I just thought that the only fight that you were waiting for was the finals anyway.

Shin quickly gave her explanation for his decision.

-no… I… I still enjoyed the other fights as well, even this one.

-I see, well I am glad to hear that.

Rin and Shin had a small chitchat and at the end Rin asked.

-I know that we are going for the west today but when will those finals actually be?

-hmm… any time today I guess.

-even right now?

-if you both want then sure why not. It would even be better to do it right now.

-in that case I will go ask…

Rin left the battle field and quickly run up to where Arata and Levi were.

-Arata, we are having finals right now.

Rather than asking Arata to agree Rin just informed him that they have finals right away.

-already? I thought there would be additional break.

Arata answered.

-what did you get tired in your fight?

-no but maybe you did.

-even if I were half awake I would still not lose to you so… .

-okay, now you have done it, prepare for the consequences.

-did I hurt your pride? If so good, maybe you will stop going easy on me.

-for the thousand time I say I wasn’t going easy on you.

-if that is true then prepare for the loss. That’s what you get for skipping practice Arata.

-I wasn’t skipping anything! Anyway we will finish this talk when you lose. Then your arguments will be meaningless.

-let’s get started then!

Rin in small jumps returned quickly to the ‘fighting area’. Arata followed after her soon after.

-good luck getting destroyed!

Levi shouted to him a something to cheer him up.

“Oh, I am not getting destroyed. Anyway as planned, I will start as usual with close combat and from there black dashes and sword slashes all day long. Why do I have such a small amount of actually useful skills despite having two classes? Something is wrong, but anyway this is the plan. No wait, while I am at it, I might as well try out the poem again. Yes, I decided already to not use it but without some huge boost, I really can’t win. Even if I get humiliated by reciting that poem and nothing will come out from it, it’s fine. Also, I believe that it will work. Don’t try to summon that skill with the words focus on the feelings and the image. As long as your image is clear enough it will work. Also, as long as I believe it will work it will work, yes there is no other way.”

Arata was determinate to achieve victory. Even if he knew that he was still far below Rin in actual power, in fights the stronger one wasn’t always the winner. If the stronger fighter always won there would be no need for fights.

When Arata got to the ‘fighting area’ he unsheathed his swords right away and was actually going to start right away

-hold on, there is still one card left to draw.

Musashi stopped him.

-ah, right.

“I somehow forgotten about that.”

-in finals where there is only one card left I am usually reading the rules so this time I will do so as well…

“I will get some extra time now so it’s a perfect time to image that flame…”

Arata started trying to use his basic magic. It was some time since he last tried doing so but this time he did not image himself winning without some extra boost.

-scenario: between you and your opponent there is a large precipice that you can’t pass because if you try you will fall into the abyss. Condition: defeat your opponent without crossing the imaginary line. Imaginary line has a width of 5 meters… Well, in short its range only battle, it’s the card that is an opposite of only close combat battle, simple as that. You can’t attack from less than 5 meters.

-what!

Arata’s image of a burning red-white flame got destroyed in an instant.

-that’s is the last card that was left so… good luck! Ready! Set! Go!

Musashi announced the start of the fight and then quickly ran away from there as it wasn’t safe to stay there.

-ah! Why did it happen?

Arata cursed his luck.

-Arata, it will be boring so I will be ending the fight right away.

-ha?

In comparison to Arata, Rin was not wasting any second. It also seemed like she wasn’t going to play around as the golden mist was already formed and the red weapons started to appear within it. Also that golden mist was somehow bigger than usual like five meters wide in every direction. Now it was actually a golden wall.

[Sword enchant: Wind]

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

After seeing the image of Rin on this golden background Arata used drastic measures and fired out two horizontal sword slashes in Rin’s direction right away. Still seeing his movements, even though attack was not visible Rin jumped up. In the meantime the rain of weapons had started.

“Oh shit.”

[Lighting speed activated.]

Arata started running in one direction right away but the area on which the swords started to fall was just too great. Before Arata thought that Rin’s skill can go only in one direction and it was a focused attack of numberous weapons into a single space. He thought like that because he saw how Rin was using that skill against the crimson knight. But here she used it differently, it went all around Arata, in slightly less focused way and it completely covered an area of 10 meters around him.

Still with his lighting speed Arata managed to get out from that range immediately and then he run into the woods. Rin followed after him soon after keep on firing the red weapons at him. Still seeing them coming Arata was already from their firing range and even though Rin tried to fire them in different angles in his way, Arata was at distance of ten meters away from her so it was easy to dodge.

“I have to attack her as well. Let’s do this the moment she cannot see me.”

[Sword slash]

While running away from Rin, Arata ended up hiding behind one of the trees and ended up firing another sword slash at her. Still even though it was hidden, the range of sword slash was too great and it ended up cutting down the tree which automatically informed Rin that it’s coming. Not to mention that even though it had no color the wind arc from sword slash could be distinguish if someone had a good eyes.

Rin ended up running up the tree and the sword slash went beneath her while cutting many trees in the process. She did not forget to keep on firing the swords at Arata though so Arata once again started running. Still because it seemed that the fight will not end soon, Rin decided to turn off her golden gate and was not firing those weapons just from air.

“Well, at least I avoided that, now it should be easier.”

Well it became easier for Arata but the game of tags continued the same. Arata and Rin were running through the woods, even though Arata was the one who was running, Rin also stopped her attacks as even if she tried to fire at moving Arata it would have no meaning. For a note, Arata also stopped using lighting speed and just ran on his own.

“Hmm… I have two sword slashes left but they won’t work on her from this range. In the first place it’s stupid for two of us to fight in range, sure Rin has her skill but I don’t think that she can hit me with it from that range.”

Arata looked behind him and Rin also was just running with troubled expression, not really knowing what to do. Both of them were used to fighting melee, with practically anything one could thought of, in comparison they never learned any range. There was one time when Arata wanted to try out archery but his grandfather did not let him do it as he looked down on people who use range weapons to fight.

“What I am supposed to do? Well if I stop running then Rin will win but if I continue to run then it will be an endless steal-mate.”

-hey Rin!

In the end Arata decided to call out to her.

-what is it!?

Rin answered, despite the fight and consistent running, both of their voices were fresh.

-is it funny to you to chase me like this?

-not at all, that’s why I wanted to end it fast, you should just let me kill you at the beginning. I am surprised that you managed to dodge that attack by the way, I used the chance when you were distracted and you still managed to get out from the ‘range’ that practically no one else managed to run out from.

-well, thanks for the complement.

Arata answered to her while still running.

-still because of that we have to run around this forest like idiots while destroying it at the same time.

Rin pointed out the important.

-is that why you stopped disabled that golden mist?

-it’s partly because of it but when you first ran away I already knew that I won’t catch you easily and if I kept it for too long I would ran out of mana. Still as for destroying the trees you cut more of them than me. In the first place, why are you running, if you have a skill like that then you should try to fight back. If you just run I will never hit you.

-well that skill has limited usage and I won’t be able to hit you from range of 5 meters with an obvious move like this as well. Apart from that I don’t have any range spells so that’s leave me with only option and it’s to wait till you get tired.

-I see… still Arata that tactic won’t work as I won’t get tired in this world from simple run.

-I can see it myself… .

Arata answered to her and sighted. They continued to run like this for about another five minutes. Rin stopped even summoning her read weapons and all other also disappeared as there was no use in keeping them in the air. It was truly a steal-mate.

“Either, its steal-mate or I lose, and I don’t want to lose to her.”

Even though before the fight Arata did not really believe in victory despite his doctrine about always thinking of victory, he at least wanted to give it his all, use risky tactic and even use the cursed basic magic that he would probably just humiliate himself with, still it was all because he didn’t want to lose to her again.

-hey Arata, I have a good proposition.

After five minutes silence Rin once again started the conversation.

-yes?

-right now, we are out of anyone gaze so why don’t we simply ignore that stupid rule and start fighting normally.

They already run away from everyone and even though Arata was trying to run in circles to not get lost to much afterwards currently no one was here except of them two. So, Rin’s proposition was really appealing but after thinking it through Arata answered.

-Rin, will you give me some time?

-you mean you would want to regain your mana?

-no, not that…

Arata ended up stopping the run and even though Rin had now a perfect chance to attack him, she did not do it and just stopped next to him to hear his words.

-honestly I don’t think like I can win against you right now and I don’t want you to be angry at me again. But I promise that I will get stronger.

-you say that you will get stronger?

Rin asked surprised.

-what with that face? You should perfectly know that because of the time you spent in-game I have a long way to go to catch up to you, so just wait till I get there.

-no, it’s just, it isn’t very like you.

-how is it not like me?

-well, normally when you lose you seem to not care at all as if you let the other person win so it doesn’t matter.

-I don’t know it seemed to you like this but I don’t remember doing anything. Anyway once again, just wait till I catch up to you then… .

-no, I will not wait.

Rin suddenly interrupted him.

-well, of course I am not asking you to get lazy and do nothing while I am getting stronger but… .

-Arata, it seems like you forgotten about something that I told you.

-something that you told me?

-yes, I don’t want to repeat it but no matter what happens through the quest, it will end all the same and it will be the moment to say the goodbyes.

-sure, but I can always come and visit you and ask for another duel after our quest is done.

After Arata said that Rin got sadden a little.

-it seems like you didn’t understand what I said back then.

“Ah, I don’t want to go back to this topic right now.”

Seeing the change in Rin’s attitude Arata immediately tried to change the mood.

-in that case I will get strong enough before our quest is done and after we complete it and get out world’s first we will have a fight to death. What do you say, one extra fight won’t take too much of your time.

After Arata said that, Rin thought about it for a second and then answered.

-okay but only if both of us will be alive at the end of it.

With that Rin covered her head in red hood and started walking in the direction of the village from which they ran away from. Arata followed soon after her but they didn’t exchange any more words.

“Looks like my number of reasons to complete this quest just increased once again. Still it will be hard to get better while doing this quest. Rather it will probably be impossible as there will simply be no time for it. I mean it looks like now we simply have to go to that gate. The gate should work as it is a quest. Games usually don’t give you an epic quest to go to the heavens just so the gate doesn’t work, right?”

Arata at least hoped it was true but he already knew that with this game everything can happen and any standards may not hold.

“So go to the gate. Gate will work then we go to the heavens, then we go to that temple and wuala world first.”

Arata liked to keep his objectives simple. What was between those points was not important right now.

“With this quest looking like this I really think there will be no time to train at all…”

Even though he just told Rin that they will fight at the end, with the quest looking like this he really had no time. And in this moment Arata started to think in completely different direction

“Still, what is with Rin anyway? I don’t know if she can’t log out or return to the real world or whatever but saying things like that is not fair! Does she really think she will be more happy by just finding some other quest afterwards and playing it alone.”

That’s what it seemed to Arata what Rin would do.

“No, I don’t think I can let that happen. So I have two options, either I somehow change her mind throughout this quest or I will use the ‘drastic measures’ and she does not want that to happen.”

Arata started to think up completely different plan.

“Ah, Rin you do not want me to use ‘drastic measures’ as even I think they are evil. Still if it comes to this, I will do it and you will not be able to refuse to ‘him’, muahahahaha!”

Now Arata once again looked at Rin walking away and in heart he apologized to her if it came down to the second option.

When they reached Larisane once again Rin got surrounded by everyone that was present there. The circle was quite big as it was over ten people there. Yume stepped to the front and started.

-Rin congratulation on winning the tournament.

She said while smiling, although Rin did recognize that simile and she was not very happy about it.

-you didn’t but Shin said that if both of you come back alive then it means that Arata gave up as the rules say that only against you we can give up. Isn’t that right Shin?

-well that’s about it.

Shin answered while trying to look away.

“Well, I guess it’s true that I gave up.”

Arata didn’t try to say anything in his defense and just watched what was happening.

-okay, I understand that but what are you doing right now, are you trying to assassinate me.

Understanding current Yume simile, Rin could easily say that she is in danger.

-of course it’s not that! We all came to congratulate you on winning and at the same time give you a reward! Everyone let’s go!

At Yume’s signal most of people that were present got closed and soon enough they picked up Rin upwards and then started throwing her up to the sky, once again and once again.

-ahhhh! Someone help me!!!!

Rin screamed with unusual girly voice while being thrown but her shout was easily dimmed by everyone cheering and comments.

=Hip! Hip! Hurray for our winner!

-even though it was obvious from the start that you will win!

-I was really impressed by how good you are. The stories does not give you any justice.

-yes, yes, you perfectly outclassed everyone here.

-that is what we should expect from the rank zero of our great city Karma!

-watching you fight is really inspiring!

-it’s is an honor to have you with us.

The comments were really random but they did reach Rin’s ears.

-I am sorry for what I done to you. Put me down already!

Rin ended up apologizing for something that she has not done but for her it was obvious that it was some kind of punishment.

-hmm, we can’t have it, can we?

Vatras asked the cheering somehow stop but the throws continued.

-the rules are the winner got throw up for half an hour right? We can’t change that.

Musashi answered.

-half an hour, get me down already!

Rin shouted from the top.

“Half an hour, maybe it’s good that I didn’t say anything, if they considered it a draw it would be me there as well?”

-Rin, it’s your reward, enjoy the moment!

Yume said to her.

-how would I enjoy this Mary!

-don’t worry everyone, she is just saying it, in heart she is happy she is just too shy to say it… -

-who is too shy to say it!? Put me down!

-see. So once again, hip hip hurray!

-help!!!!!…

Rin cried out once again and at this moment the throwing up stopped.

-ha?? Is it over?

Rin asked finally on the ground.

-well, naturally we wouldn’t be throwing you up for half an hour.

Vatras said to her and a face of relief appeared on Rin’s face.

-now then! With the tournament finally done we will do what we wanted to do from the start. And that is to the west!

Musashi announced.

-already?

Vatras asked.

-did I say something wrong?

-naturally you meant in few hours from now.

Shin corrected him.

-ah yes that, anyway just to remind everyone in six hours and that is 14:00 we are taking off to the west. Gathering spot is the western entrance to the Larisane which is more or less the area in which we are right now…

They were actually already to the west of Larisane.

-finish everything you have to left and get ready for the expedition. Also this time, it’s very, very, very important and our lives may depend on it so please don’t be late. It’s a special note from Shin by the way.

With the announcements finished Musashi decided to log out and many others also followed his footsteps as it was probably one of few occasions to do that before the expedition.

Arata looked around, the remaining people were really few and those were Levi, Bran, Kei, Shin, Thesar and Julia. More than half people log out that also included Yume and… .

“Wait a moment, did Rin just log out!!!???”

Arata saw something unbelievable happening right before his eyes. Well, it shouldn’t be anything strange that a player logged out before taking part in a long expedition that would take who knows how long. There were many that logged in just to see last fights and logged out back while waiting for the expedition to start. Still, Rin doing the same was something that completely blow Arata’s mind.

“But… Wait! did that librarian lied to me? No, he didn’t look like someone who would lie for no reason and there would be no merits for him… So, did Rin lied to him? That’s also probably not it, otherwise she wouldn’t behave like she does! What librarian said should be true but…”

-ahhhhhh! I don’t know anymore!!!

Arata ended up yelling out loud as he really had no idea what was going on. Still, maybe it meant that the ‘darkest scenario’ that he thought up before was not true.

-what’s up, you got crazy after finally experiencing that skill on your own skin.

Levi came up to him.

-I didn’t get killed by it so it’s not that OP, well maybe it is. Still, until I win against Rin when she uses that skill, I won’t be able to call it a win.

-yes sure good luck with that.

Levi did not believe in Arata’s new conviction, or maybe it was because of the trauma that he got after experiencing the skill on his skin which destroyed him once in few seconds.

-and what about you, you are not logging out?

Arata ended up asking.

-nah, I logged back few minutes before waking you up so I don’t need to do that. Anyway Arata, I just thought up an interesting activity.

-your definition of word interesting is quite alarming so I will pass.

-don’t be like that before you hear it. Also we might get stronger by doing it.

-stronger?

-there you go. So here is what we do. Remember that NPC girl with blond-white hair?

-she was here during second round right. So what about her?

-you know, NPCs like that know a lot of stuff. There might even be a chance for a quest or some secret way of power up. You must always look for things like that whenever you travel, otherwise you won’t find anything.

-I thought we had a quest already.

-there is no reason to get another one. Let’s go and ask for the secret of her power.

-I would rather learn secret of Rin’s power.

-then ask her for it.

-I can’t do that, she is my goal to beat. You can ask your opponent for advices right?

-for now she is your party member but sure I understand why you won’t ask her. So anyway let’s go!

-you sure didn’t have enough dealing with ‘females’ that might kill you the instant you say the wrong word, right?

-life is too short to worry about that.

-but I still don’t think we will get anything out from it. We will just end up angering this village elder.

-who cares about that? The important stuff is that we will meet a beautiful elf girl with unique beauty, right?

-I see so this is your reason… in that case I will pass on it.

-don’t be like that, it’s just an NPC, you won’t be cheating on your girlfriend with it. I would say you other actions would classify as that though.

-I have no idea what you are talking about but fine let’s go. It’s been a while since I saw you got beaten up for your knight’s talk.

And so Arata and Levi decided to pay the visit to the last person they would want to go to if they knew what ‘could’ have happen if they made one mistake.

However the moment they entered the village they soon encountered one problem.

-hey Arata which way, is it?

-you ask me? I was logged out for this whole time, I didn’t have a time for sightseeing much.

-yes you are right, I also was logged out most of the time and the time in which I was not logged out I spent in ‘certain’ entertainment center they have here.

-I don’t want to hear about it if you say it like that, anyway what do we do? Ask some guards for direction?

-we might as well follow the golden rule I guess… or wait a second…

Levi spotted certain familiar person in the white cloak walking on the same street they were. Soon after.

-Arata come! He will show us the way!

And just like that, Shin joined their plan of visiting the elder.