“So, you came too, huh? I was sceptical about anyone showing up at all.”

I was pulled out of my inner musings at those words. I had come to the designated meeting spot an hour early, wanting to be the first one there. I wanted to keep a lookout for the guy who had organised all this, ‘JadedDragon’. I couldn’t help but feel some apprehension when I thought of the blatant murder I had witnessed last night. Although just beneath my skin, I could feel a tense excitement. I couldn’t quite fathom the reason behind it until a familiar voice in my voice whispered, “You are just glad someone might be just like you!”

Looking up I saw one of the participants of the previous night’s meeting staring at me with an impassive face as if judging me in some way.

I got up and extended my hand in greeting, expecting him to shake it. It took twenty seconds of him just staring at my hands blankly before I finally gave up on that particular endeavor. ‘Rude’, I thought.

Having nothing better to do, I began assessing my companion. He had been one of the background characters in the meeting, content to watch and listen without contributing anything meaningful to it, except for some useless mutterings and grumblings. I used my ‘Observe’ skill on him, eager to find out some information on him.

“Name: Hayabusa

Lvl 11

Class: Warrior

Guild: Not affiliated (Maybe associated but observe not high enough)”

The atmosphere became awkward after that. The place was engulfed in silence for a few minutes before the rest of the team members began pouring in. No one made any moves to introduce themselves to one another and some even went so far as to display outward hostility towards the others. All in all, there was no doubt in my mind that this was no more than an alliance of convenience, composed of people who would be happy to tear each other apart in just about any other given situation.

Finally, all members had arrived and as per my expectations, JadedDragon took the lead. “Brilliant, all of us are here at last. Alas, one of the intended members declined the offer to be a part of history. Well, his loss.”

Loss indeed, I thought, picturing his corpse falling off the roof of his own quarters.

“We still have the ten strongest adventurers in the country with us at the current moment. The dungeon we will raid today has a recommended level of 15 and party strength. I think the ten of us are sufficient to rise to this challenge.”

He didn’t receive any reaction to his words at all. He didn’t let that perturb him in the least though as he carried on, his ever-present exuberance still in place. How much of it was real and how much a façade, I wondered?

The company started to make their way towards the dungeon. The conversation was stilted amongst the members as everyone couldn’t wait to reach the destination.

We arrived at the entrance of the dungeon in short order and were greeted by the sound of a crowd. A crowd that had gathered for the purposes of wishing us luck, as if we were sacrificing ourselves for a great cause. It seemed as if our venture had been well publicised. Everyone couldn’t help but send a pointed glance towards JadedDragon’s way as he just sheepishly rubbed his head.

Before we could actually make our way into the dungeon however, JadedDragon stopped us at the entrance. In a serious tone unlike his usual demeanor, he said, “Last chance to back out now. Remember, this is not simply about clearing a dungeon. As soon as we enter, we agree with the commitment that not one of us is going to harm anyone else in this group for a period of six months. If you can’t agree with that, you are welcome to leave now.”

The said group just gave non-committal shrugs but no one actually left. Like me, they must have felt that the commitment would be non-enforceable because, frankly, who would punish any violation of the said commitment?

Seeing that no one was separating themself from the group, JadedDragon just clapped his hands together before saying, “Brilliant! Since no one is leaving, I am assuming that no one will hesitate to sign the binding contract that I have sent over to your inboxes.”

As if on cue, my watch blinked, indicating that I had received a message. Looking around, I saw that the others too had received messages at the same time, indicating that this was what JadedDragon was talking about.

The message opened up to show a contract of some kind, titled ‘System-Bound Contract’.

“What the fuck is this?”, Hayabusa shouted out. Although I would have put it less eloquently than him, I also had the same thought. Anything that mentioned the word ‘System’ had me on edge, ever since the fateful night of the inception of this system on the planet.

“It’s a contract, whose executioner is the system governing the Grand Order itself. It’s mighty expensive, I am telling you. Cost me a pretty penny.” JadedDragon was nonplussed by the hostile looks being thrown his way after he stated the intricacies of this contact.

Hayabusa wasn’t finished asking questions though. “And what happens should we violate this……contract?”

“The terms and penalties are plain and simple. You violate this contact, your watch and thus, essentially your life becomes forfeit.”

If looks could kill, JadedDragon would have been six feet deep beneath the ground. He didn’t let that perturb him though, merely looking on with an encouraging expression, urging everyone to sign the contract.

I gave the contract a once over. As far as contracts go, it was fairly simple and precise, with no complicated terms or loopholes that I could see. Just two lines stating that we couldn’t attack the other members of this group for the next six months, as he had previously stated.

Eventually, everyone signed the contract, albeit reluctantly. No one wanted to be left out of the raid after coming so far. The prospect of better equipment or loot and levelling up was more than enough to sway the opinion of those who would have hesitated to sign otherwise.

After all that, we finally entered the dungeon to the loud cheers of the onlooking audience. We hit a bump as soon as we entered the dungeon though. No sooner had we entered the dungeon than we were greeted by the sight of five doors. The aim of keeping the doors at the mouth of the dungeon was clear. Divide and conquer.

All the excitement that seemed to be present in our hearts was dashed immediately. Our hope of clearing the dungeon quickly seemingly washed down the drain and everyone began looking at each other, waiting for someone to take action to or suggest a plan solve this obvious dilemma.

“Seems like we have to separate into different groups, guys. No other choice if we are to fully explore this dungeon, I am afraid.” JadedDragon was as cheerful as ever. It was mighty irritating in moments such as these.

There was some discussion among the group and I was stuck with JadedDragon himself. The bemused look he gave me after the formation of the group suggested to me that me being partnered up with him was no mere coincidence.

We entered our assigned door after everyone had already gone through theirs. We walked in relative silence, barely exchanging a word other than to make some decisions along the way. Our first encounter with any type of monster was a group of hungry-looking, fang baring goblins who seemed intent on tasting our blood.

And that’s when we got the message that typically signified the beginning of an adventure in a dungeon.

“Welcome to a new dungeon!”

“Dungeon: The Goblin’s lair”

“Required level: 15”

“Recommended party members:2”

I readied myself for the upcoming conflict, thinking that the road ahead would be one full of hardship and suffering. Quite contrary to my expectations, we faced little resistance from the first group. Not only that, we eased through the rest of the dungeon quite effortlessly, cutting through whatever opposition faced us like a knife through butter.

It was while we were meandering through the dungeon like that I finally asked JadedDragon about something that had been bugging me for quite a while.

“The contract was your real play, right?” I asked him with conviction in my voice.

All I received was a “Hmm?” in response. So, I repeated my question without hesitation, not wanting him to squirm out of answering my question.

JadedDragon grew silent for a moment before answering, “Yes, that would be correct. But also, I wanted to know my opposition, my rivals, if you will. I am sure you of all people appreciate the chance of scoping out of your competition.”

I nodded in reply, wondering how much he really knew about me. “Why the non-hostile relations for six months though?”

“Simple, I figured that would be the amount of time it would take for me to surpass everyone.” He had so much confidence in his voice that even I found myself believing him, despite me being one of the ‘everyone’ he was mentioning.

“What if someone new emergences as a potential rival from the remaining rank and file?” I asked him, curious to see why he invited only ten more people.

“Don’t be naïve. I know you are better than that. By this time, all ten of us know something conclusively. This system isn’t fair. The strong will continue getting stronger and the gap between us and the rest of the population will only continue to widen. I predict that in six months, our only opposition will be ourselves and the crème de la crème of the other nations.”

I couldn’t disagree with what he had just said at all. After all, being the strongest meant access to opportunities that were simply not available to others. That, in turn, meant that the strongest would only get stronger while the weaker remained just that, weak.

I was interrupted from my inner monologue by JadedDragon. “You know, you and I more alike than most would think.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “How so?”

“We are both stronger than everyone else in this group. Not out of necessity but by choice. And I have a feeling that we both know what it means to be weak. And most importantly, we have both got a propensity for killing.”

Again, I found myself having no words to refute his statement, especially after he spoke the truth.

“I have got a proposition for you if you would hear me out.”

I was curious at once. “What would that be?”

He replied, “Not so soon. Just know that I will do you a favour today, right in this dungeon. And you will owe me one. And I will collect within this week.”

“And if I don’t return the said favour?”

“Why would you hurt your friend so? We are friends, right?” All of this was said with a childish pout but I couldn’t help but find a vague inkling of a threat beneath his words.

We made it to what seemed to be the final boss room pretty quickly. Welcoming us was a goblin who seemed to be a troll if we were to look at just his size. He had a broadsword in his hands that seemed to sparkle when light reflected off it its edge. I knew that I wouldn’t want to be hit by that.

Without much ado, we just charged at the boss. I kicked it on the back of his right knee and it collapsed, kneeling on the floor. Before it could even gather its bearings, JadedDragon just took its head off its shoulders using a sword of his own.

“Achievement Unlocked!.....”

“Achievement Unlocked!.....”

“Achievement Unlocked!.....”

Before I could look through the notifications, the other gates around the room opened simultaneously and the other members of our expedition party filtered out. Just then, there was a flash of light and the goblin’s body disappeared leaving behind the gold and his weapon, the broadsword.

Everyone gathered around the loot in a flash, most of their attention focused on the sword, their eyes displaying some greed. Hayabusa shouted as soon as he caught sight of the sword, “I am taking the sword.”

There were murmurings of discontent at that statement before JadedDragon took control of the situation.

“Now, now. Let’s not be hasty and undo the good work we have done here today. The gold will be divided among the nine of us who don’t get the sword, as I think the sword easily equals that portion of gold in value.”

Hayabusa nodded in agreement, “That’s acceptable. I want the sword and not the gold then.”

JadedDragon just shook his head at that saying, “I don’t think that’s fair, Hayabusa. Our team killed the monster. Hence, we get the sword. And I think my partner should have it since he had a bigger role to play in the boss’ demise.”

I immediately realised that this was the favour he was talking about earlier. I nodded subtly at him, indicating I understood what he was doing. He merely smiled in response before asking everyone else if they agreed with his suggestion. Although there were still rumblings of discontent, everyone agreed with what he had proposed and had to be content with their share of the gold.

Hayabusa hadn’t let go of it though, judging by the nasty glare he was sending my way. He was helpless to do anything about it though in the face of the others agreeing. I just knew that he would try to pay me back somehow after six months. I just smirked at him, which seemed to infuriate him even more.

We exited the dungeon soon after to raucous applause and cheer. We stood there for a moment to soak in the adulation of the awaiting crowd.

After some time, we began to shuffle away in separate directions. But before everyone could depart, Hayabusa spoke out aloud, “I will be forming a guild soon. Every one of you is welcome to join. The stronger, the better.”

Then, he came face to face with me directly and said, “But not you, brat. I will be seeing you in six months. I hope that you are ready to pay for your insolence when the time comes. I don’t forgive. And I especially don’t forget.”

With his piece said, he departed with heavy footsteps, leaving me in his wake. I, too, began to depart but not before receiving a glance from JadedDragon, indicating that we ould be meeting soon. I just nodded at him before going my own way.

The Next day

“Sorry, I heard that a guild was being formed here. I was wondering if I could join?”

“Sure, kid. Just fill up this form here.”

As I took the form from Hayabusa’s hand, I couldn’t help but allow a faint smirk to come over my face. Hayabusa must have noticed as he asked, “Something funny?”

I just shook my head in denial. “No, I am just happy to be here, you know. I think we are going to have so much fun. It’s an honour for me to join a guild formed by one of the ‘Ten Swords’.”

As I watched him laugh uproariously at my response, I couldn’t help but feel my skin tingling in anticipation for the day, the moment when I could wipe that infuriating smirk off his face.

Forever!