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Author notes:

It's been a while since I last updated since RL has been really busy for me....

I just thought that I had to say something to all of you who read the story so I put a small section before the chapter for the first time :kyaaaa:

The releases are probably going to be slower then when I started but I plan to keep the story going on for a long time so I don't have plans on dropping it. Well thats all I have to say I guess (forgive me for this unimportant announcement hehe)

PS. Help me out by giving reviews or comments about the fiction so I can keep improving my skills. It'll really help me out to understand what makes my story interesting or boring and how to make it better!

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Chapter 14: Nero Argento

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Light Desert Scorpion Armor (Common)

Armor made from desert scorpion plates. It’s hardness gives the wearer high protection against attacks without the burden of heavy metal plate armor.

Defense: 124

I check the item description of my new armor for the third time after it was crafted. The defense was really high but it was only a common piece unlike my old Rygar leather armor....

That’s most likely because it doesn’t give any bonus options and just had a high defense value. That’s fine though, I need protection more than some bonus stats. I can just keep training to increase them anyway.

Double checking my inventory I found it was filled with some random monster parts from the bounties I did for the past few weeks.

It’s already been more than 3 weeks since I heard about Hime’s quest. Sylva and I are ready to hit the road to Roden now! Hearing a knock at the door I stood up and opened the door.

“Haruki, are you ready?”

“Yeah, what does that guy want anyway? Maybe we should just leave without meeting him....”

“If he was the one that called for us it must be important.”

“Fine, I know already.”

Even though Sylva much more relaxed now but I guess she’s still a serious person no matter what. With her face and attitude she gives off a ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’ vibe.

Well she’s not Japanese but I guess thats the closest word I can think of to describe her?

“Don’t you want to quickly find Hime?” she asked as I was staring at her

“Huh? Oh, yeah! I’m all set.”

Leaving the place we stayed for weeks at we headed down the street and arrived in front of a building we visited a few times while here at Tyrne.

Making our way up the stairs we reached the door and entered without knocking.

“Ah Haruki and Sylva! Always a pleasure!”

“What do you want Sagami? We were about to leave you know.”

“I am aware. It seems new of the Expedition’s success has already spread.”

“I know! That’s why we’re heading there!” I nearly screamed at him

“Impatient as always I see. What I called you for is about the quest so hear me out for a while.”

“We will, go on.” Sylva answered while calming me down

“Though the quest was success, the players are still finishing by securing a permanent route to a new region. It seems that with this more players will be connected and interact with each other.”

“And why is that important.” I ask

“As you know we might find a way to beat this game by continuing to explore this world. In fact none of us really know much about the game world itself besides information of the starting region. You might say we’re only finishing the game prologue with this.”

Straightening his back he looked at us with a serious expression.

“With more players meeting there is a possibility of figuring something out but more players doesn’t mean we’re safer than before....”

“What do you mean?” Sylva also tensed her face

“Imagine this. More players interacting while trapped here while there is no certain goal to achieve. It could lead to chaos! And the more we venture out to the world there’s more danger with each place connected to here.”

“Are you saying that there could be player wars?”

“That is something that could happen.... Unless we know anything about ‘how’ we’re supposed to leave this game, players will just remain wandering aimlessly doing what they want.”

“Stop beating around the bush and tell us what you’re saying to us!”

“What I’m saying is...... It might be necessary to kill other players out there. Make no mistake, our survival isn’t only threatened by monsters of this game. Desperate humans are much more deadly than any monster....”

“What! ‘Kill’ others! That’s not a solution!” I became frustrated

“Haruki, if players were about to kill you or your allies will you just lie down and give up. I’m telling you that you need to be prepared to kill if you or the people you care about are in danger.”

I stay silent at his words. The resolve to kill. Though I’ve already killed I still don’t want to do it. But Sagami’s words were true... If anyone were to try and harm Hime or Sylva I have to be prepared for that much.

“Haha, well of course that is all just my personal speculation. I merely wanted you to know this.” Sagami smiled

“Why did you tell us this?” Sylva asked

“Of course because we’re allies right! I have a feeling that cooperation between us is in both our interests is it not? You could say that I’m betting on you to do something.” Sagami said as he grinned

As much as I disliked being allied with this shrewd guy I couldn’t dismiss what he said. Without the help of his information network I wouldn’t have known where Hime was so quickly.

“That’s fine I guess. But I doubt we’ll return here in the near future though.”

“Hehe, I am no NPC. I am not bound to this city more than you. I’m sure we’ll be meeting again Haruki, Sylva.”

It seems that he told us what he wanted. I quickly left with Sylva while thinking about what he had said.

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Heading to the gates as usual for the past few days we drew some attention towards us.

“Look! Those are the top players here in Tyrne!” someone pointed at us

“Whoa! So they’re ‘Nero Argento’!”

“Damn, they really do look stronger than us normal players!”

We walked by ignoring them gawking at us and kept heading to the city gates. The sooner we leave the better, I’m tired with all this nonsense...

Oh yeah, It seems we’re known by a name now!

‘Nero Argento’ Black and Silver. It’s stupid name if you ask me but Sylva said that simple is what people memorize.

Apparently they made up a name because calling us ‘pair of mage bounty hunters’ was a hassle.

The rumors were like wildfire and some were absolutely absurd. Some say that we’re hackers that could cheat the game and became stronger because of this. Some say that we’re elite professional players with special training or that we’re GM’s.

There was one that was full blown in its craziness made me twitch every time it crossed my mind. This specific rumor says that we’re a pair of lovers that were trapped by fate and got stuck in the death game but didn’t give up and decided to conquer the game.

People sure love dramatic stories. I admit that if they weren’t talking about me I would find that to be somewhat cool for a movie but now I’m just scared of people’s stupidity...

“What’s wrong Haruki?” Sylva noticed me facepalming

“Nah, it’s just... I was distracted by a specific rumor about us.....”

“Oh, that one right? That You and I are lovers and challenging fate and all that.”

“Shhhh, Not so loud! Who knows what they’ll say nest if they hear you.” I looked around at the players watching us.

What the! Some were even following us! Do they have too much free time?!

“Isn’t it normal for rumors to be false? Besides as a Woman I myself can find the appeal of such a story.”

“True. But doesn’t it bother you?” I looked at her questioningly

“You and me as lovers? Not really.”

“Wha- What do you mean by that!”

I was about to keep questioning but noticed she was smiling mischievously. She was joking! Man, whenever she breaks character it gives me a hard time because she’s usually serious

I just sighed and gave up. The gates come into view and we left while the players following us scattered.

Seeing that it was clear, we took off the hoods and started to walk when someone called out.

“SYLVA!”

Surprised, we turned around and saw a man and woman there. That’s weird. Even though they saw our faces shouldn’t they not know our names.

The brown haired man just walked over to us and started talking while the woman behind him looked annoyed.

“Sylva! I knew it was you! You’re alive! Thank God!”

“Um, Sylva? Are they friends of yours?” I asked her

“............No.” she frowned

“Huh, don’t tell me you forgot about me, Sylva it’s me Mark! And that’s Rachel!” He smiled and suddenly grabbed Sylva’s hand

Who is this guy? Mark he said? I took a closer look at him and it hit me. He and the woman were Sylva’s old party. The ones that escaped leaving her to die!

I clenched my fists holding back my anger and observed him for a while. Maybe he had something important to say....

“We were worried you know! After what happened to Sam.... We tried looking for you but we couldn’t! We though you were also killed!”

“Mark, let’s go. We’re done here right?” The woman named Rachel spoke up

“What? Not yet! Sylva, let’s join up again. We’re comrades right? We should stick together from now on!”

“.........”

“when I heard that there were high level mages I thought it was you and I was right! Let’s team up again and continue our struggle!” Mark smiled shamelessly

I couldn’t take it anymore and started talking to him.

“I’m sorry but as you can see we’re busy. Sylva is currently travelling with me.” I say bluntly

“Huh? Who are you?”

“I’m Haruki..... Sylva’s friend.”

“Haruki? Oh, right. The rumors said a pair of mages.”

“You can come too if you want.”

I started to get real pissed off at this guy. First he abandoned someone and when he heard that they were stronger he comes crawling back! This person’s attitude was truly shameless.

“Sorry Mark. But I don’t have any intentions to group up with you again.” Sylva answered

“Wait, why?”

“As Haruki said we have business elsewhere.”

“Come on, let’s just head somewhere and talk about it first.”

Saying that he grabbed Sylva’s arm and started pulling her forcefully away.

Rage immediately boiled up in my chest as I drew my katana and pressed it at his neck.

“Let her go....” I say threateningly

I started to use a bit of mana and was surprised to see that the blade had some sparks of red.

“He-Hey! What’s your problem! She’s our comrade!”

“Don’t you dare say that. You saved yourselves and left her to die and now you say you’re her comrade? You disgust me.”

“You jerk! Let mark go!”

Rachel suddenly grabbed him and pulled him back. It seems she cares about this Mark guy. Well she also left Sylva so I was also pissed at her.

“Haruki, come on let’s just go...”

“....Okay. You two, don’t show your faces in front of me again.”

“Wait, we’ll talk with Sylva even if we have to force you!” Mark said as he reached his greatsword

Without giving him a chance to do anything I launched a lightning bolt at him forcing him back a full 10 meters

“Force me? Don’t make me laugh! I could easily kill you both if you keep forcing my hand!” I mocked him

“Kuuuh....”

It seems my threat was effective. Without a word Rachel put his arm around her shoulder and started to walk away.

Seeing the two of them leave I lowered my guard and also left.

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After walking some distance from the city outskirts Sylva started to talk to me about before.

“Did you really have to threaten them like that?”

“....It was the fastest way.”

“What if he was killed by your magic? Won’t that just cause more trouble?”

“I knew it wouldn’t. He didn’t look too weak for a single attack.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Sylva, aren’t you mad at them? I mean, they left you to die! Why should you care about them.”

“I was. But I don’t think we should hold grudges in this game. Remember what Sagami said.”

“What he said is precisely why I did that! That bastard was trying to use you!”

“I know but I still don’t think you should threaten to kill someone just because you can.” She looked straight into my eyes

“Haaaah, you’re right.... I’m sorry. I kinda snapped back there.”

“No need to apologize. I also understand your concern.” She smiled

Seeing her smiling face it struck me again that she really calms me down whenever I start acting up. The stress from this world was really getting to me.

In short, I was really grateful to have her with me. If I was alone I probably would’ve gone mad because of this game. I’m glad that she’s my comrade...

“Anyway, we should keep going. It’ll be a few days before we get there.”

“Yeah, let’s get back on track.”

We kept heading down the road to Roden. Just a little more. With this I’ll be able to meet Hime again. It’s been a long time. 6 months for her trapped here. I can only hope that we can all survive the game to the end.

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