The leader of the PK group looked at me like I was an idiot.

“Really, tough guy?” He said sarcastically, “What would that be?”

I grinned even wider and held up three fingers

“Well, for starters, you’re surrounded.” I folded my index finger in, “Secondly, This s a no PVP zone,” I folded in my ring finger and proudly showed him the remaining finger If you’re feeling froggy, then jump. I’ll be more than happy to smash you down In fact, I invite you to do so, because Smashing assholes is one of my favorite things.”

Laurel giggled, and I cast a dirty glare her way, which made her laugh even harder.

I’m in position

Good job, Nate. Think you can OHK him?

Not sure, but he’ll be under the stunned and bleeding debuff if I don’t Think you can piss him off enough to initiate PK?

I think he’s too chickenshit to start it without a surprise attack. Laurel piped in.

I winked at Laurel who grinned and nodded.

I leaned towards the man and gave what I hoped was an intimidating glare.

“What’s it going to be, chump? You lost your surprise advantage. Got the cajones to step up like a man?”

I made a point to look at Laurel, who had fully focused her mana, and ready to cast, off behind the mouth, where I assumed Nate was stealt

hed, and at a few other places where the imaginary backup would be hiding.

The mouth –I decided that was his name from now on—scowled and muttered something vulgar under his breath.

“Just you wait, Mr. Hero. You’ll be outside the safe zone eventually. I’ll get you then. That’s a promise.” The Mouth turned and left, his two companions showed a solid mixture of intimidation and confusion, and after a moment of hesitation, quickly followed him out of sight.

Oh thank Gygax, I thought I was gonna piss myself.. I sent with a distinct sigh of relief.

Nathan laughed loudly, which caused him to fade into view.

Laurel craned her head around, “Did that guy beat feet?”

I scanned the crowd as well, “Yeah, don’t blame him either.”

Nate slapped me on the shoulder, and leered at me. “My man! I didn’t think you had that in you. Hell, I’da run too.”

I ruffled my hair and rubbed my eyes.

“Man, this whole situation has me stressed. It’s like we’re being forced to become killers.”

Laurel wrapped her arms around my neck, gave me a firm kiss, and then rested her forehead against mine, our gazes locked.

“That’s because you’re a good, moral man. Which is also why I love you. So, we’ll just keep our killing to monsters, right?” She said, nodding, which forced me to nod as well.

“Well, Spaz,” Nathan interjected, “self-defense is a whole other thing.”

Laurel straightened up and put her hands on her hips, “I know. If someone fucks with my man,” She reached over and grabbed one of my buttocks roughly, “I’mma get brutal.”

I grinned. “Yeah, it’s fair to say we’d protect each other, but…”

The two of them turned to café me directly. And simultaneously said “Buuut?”

“…I have some feelings about some of the nonhuman NPC’s. The Goblins, for example. They’re pretty cool people. …Is it weird that I think of them as people?”

Laurel shook her head, making her curly hair wave back and forth.

“No, sweetie! After that update… Something changed. Something fundamental.”

Nathan chewed his lip thoughtfully. “I hadn’t put much thought into it myself. But I think our decision to keep the PC stuff on the down-low was a good choice. Let’s keep a low profile and just try to ride this thing out.”

I nodded at them and threw an arm over their shoulders. “Sounds like an excellent plan.”

Little did I know that there were forces in play that did not care for our “keep it safe” attitude.