Chapter 34

Chapter 34 “Second round”

Larisane is a hidden village that is not vastly known by people. The main reason for that would be because it was not accessible to them. Anyone who tried to get to Larisane would be stopped by its defenders before reaching the actual place. With time, some even started to think that there wasn’t any village there in the first place and the talk about beautiful elven village hidden within a forest became a legend. Of course there were few people that tried to uncover if Larisane truly exist and some of them even managed to do so. Still even if they did confirm the fact that the village did exist, that knowledge would soon fade away in numberous rumors of EOA as knowing that the village is there still didn’t mean that people can access it.

However, from time to time there would appear few visitors in the village that would be granted access to it. Those visitors would be able to see many incredible things in the city, learn its history or even get a quest or two. Because there were only few players that could visit that village the quests would not run out that easily. Still even then the quest would not be easy to get but with enough work and good reputation, it could be get. In a way, unknown villages, that doesn’t usually allow players to get inside, were the best possible place to look for quests.

People that somehow managed to get there would usually start with looking for those. Even if they got a temporary access like only ‘one time visit’, if they managed to get a quest they would automatically receive a right to come there again. Still, as always there were few exceptions to that rule. For example someone rather than looking for quests or even go sightseeing would prefer to go ‘cookie hunting’.

-yummyyyyy!
-yummy!

At the current time there were even two ‘examples’ like that present.

-Mary, you must taste this one next, it’s the best cake I ever ate. Hmm but this one also looks good…

Rin said to her friend and then took bite at another cake that was on her plate. Somehow the ‘cookie hunting’ turned into ‘cake hunting’ as well.

-wait, I change my mind, this one it the best cake I ever ate. Although…

Then she took a bite at previous cake.

-ahhh! I don’t know anymore, it’s hard to compare chocolate cake with strawberry cake. Anyway Mary, you should try both of them.
-‘munch, munch’, yeeessss, laaater Amy.

Yume answered, although it was little hard to understand her as she had her mouths filled completely.

-is this one also really good?

Rin asked while pointing at Yume’s plate.

-mmmhh, mmmhh.

Yume ended up answering by nodding.

-in that case… one more of banana one please!…

Rin ended up ordering by shouting.

Right now they were in a small cake shop that only had one table in it. It wasn’t a restaurant but when Rin and Yume asked the clerk if they can eat there, there was no problem.

Soon enough a large cake came flying Rin’s way. In this shop there were no waiters, as one would simply only buy here, rather than eat inside. Still should people like that appeared as well, the clerk was prepared and he was sending it to the table with a use of levitation magic. Why someone ‘who could with good precision send flying plates to a table’ would work in a cake shop was a question that Rin didn’t bother to think about. There were many more important things that she had to do.

-yummyyyyy!

Like eating every possible type of cake in this shop and that was what Rin was actually going to do. Great feature about EOA was that no matter how much you ate, you would always be able to somehow put more, and then despite eating all that, you would not get fat at all. Rather, you would become slimmer as after logging out, you wouldn’t have an appetite to eat anything.

After about two hours that Rin and Yume spent on eating cakes, they finally had enough and left the shop. Nearby it, they found a free bench and ended up sitting there. Even though you could eat endlessly you would still get a feeling of fullness at some point so, right now walking around was something that neither of them wanted to do.

-how do you like this village, Amy?

Yume ended up asking Rin by the name that she would only use when they were alone.

-I didn’t see too much of it but they have good cakes and there are no players walking around, it’s great place to live.

There wasn’t too much to think about. Even though Rin did have somewhat bad opinion on elves, mostly because of atmosphere in elven district in Karma, this place was nice and quiet.

-yes it is. It’s a little sad that we can’t stay here for too long but only for three days.
-and why is that?
-that is for how long we have been allowed here to stay for, I can’t tell you any details though as I don’t know them.
-normally this village doesn’t allow anyone so three days are more than one can ask for.
-yes it’s a rare occasion, you should be happy that you decided to join with us.
-it was all Arata’s idea. I am still not convinced it was a good idea though.
-you are still saying it, Amy? You really do hate being with us that much.
-no, I didn’t mean that. So far I am just staying in the corner and no one bothers me for most of the time so it’s not that bad. Well with few exceptions, no one bothers me. Also not everything that came out from this decision was bad. For example as you said, I managed to get here and taste all those cakes only thanks to that.
-so why do you think it wasn’t good idea, Amy?
-it’s more concerning the quest. You see Mary, sometimes less is more.

Rin explained her reasons in ununderstandable way.

-emm… sorry I don’t get it.
-well, what I wanted to say is that, sometimes you can do a lot more with fewer people.
-so, you are saying again that we are just getting in your way. Ah, Amy why can’t you stop thinking like that?
-no it’s not like that either, although I can’t say that you won’t get in a way. Still, what I wanted to say is that with smaller party there would be more options for us. Rather than fighting our way through, we could simply sneak by and fight only when necessary.

“Hmm, now that I think about it, if I were to simply do it alone, I would definitely arrive to that gate, without much trouble.”

Rin thought like that.

-knowing you, you would probably want to do it alone in the first place.

“Ah, she found out.”

-no, it’s not like that. Also I wouldn’t even arrive at this point if it weren’t for Arata. It was all thanks to him that we managed to complete the first quest from the chain.

“Just by having good connections, you can complete a quest in a second. Maybe I shouldn’t decline all guild offers like that, if for example I just joined in name and get some privileges it wouldn’t be a bad deal. People would stop try to recruit me as well if I already was in a guild. Still, in the end it will probably be not worth it. Also even if I could complete quest like this thanks to joining the guild, in the first place, completing them like that has no meaning.”

In quests, Rin was not looking for rewards or for good storylines, or even epic adventures. For her quest were something that she could fill her time with and focusing on them would make the time go faster and keep her away from thinking about other things.

-right. If we are already talking about Arata, why did you start fighting with him all of sudden? You were on such good term already.

Yume ended up asking about the accident that happened before.

-Mary, I don’t want to speak about it. I am now in a good mood after eating those cakes and I would not want to destroy it. I will just tell you that me and Arata are on as good terms as we probably can be.
-you shouldn’t limit yourself by saying that.
-no, I will limit myself because there is no other way. I already did tell you about him, didn’t I?
-yes, but so what? Even though you knew him, you didn’t practically talk with him at all.
-Mary, just stop okay.
-fine, fine. Then let’s change the topic and let me ask you, how do you see our group so far?
-why do you ask me that?
-well, I am partly interested as well, but mostly because someone will probably end up asking me ‘how did Rin liked being with us?’
-tell them that I didn’t like it.

Rin was not playing around with an answer and wanted to finish this topic quickly.

-okay I will and the reasons? I will not get away with an answer like that.
-reasons? Why do you even ask Mary, it’s same reason as always and there is nothing I can do about it.
-… .

Yume stopped immediately hearing Rin’s answer. Seeing it Rin started.

-don’t worry Mary, it wasn’t your fault that I remembered it. Also you know that I am already used to it. Anyway if you want some relation from me then sure I will tell you.

The atmosphere cleaned with those words.

-really? So how is it?

The conversation went back the question.

-let’s start, I don’t really have an opinion about everyone but you can at least tell my opponent from my previous fight that I enjoyed fighting him. Congratulate him on his endurance.
-oh! I will definitely pass on that message.

Yume become incredibly happy after hearing that from Rin.

-you can also congratulate those two that managed to win against two idiots from my party… wait! Don’t congratulate ‘that guy’ but only the other one. Then lastly, most important message, do remember to tell ‘that other guy’ that he is going to have a painful and slow death for what he has done to you.

Rin was serious about it.

-why all of sudden? And here it was going all good.
-why? Isn’t it obvious? He killed you remember?
-yes but it was just a tournament.
-see there is no problem then, I will also just fight him in a tournament.

“There will be no mercy though.”

-Amy, couldn’t you consider it once more? Don’t do this and remember that it was my fault for losing not his.

“Well it’s true I am little unfair.”

-okay, in that case I will give him a quick death.
-ah why does it always come to that? Don’t you feel at least a bit excited about your next fight? You normally like to fight good players don’t you and Hiro is really good.
-I can’t feel excited when I didn’t see anything out from him apart from his ‘third rate imitation’. Right! It’s good thing that you reminded me Mary. I also have to punish him for making fun of master’s style. Sorry Mary, it looks like quick death is not an option anymore.
-shouldn’t you rather congratulate him for learning that all by himself! For normal people that don’t know how the original should look, it is impressive. Also Hiro would probably be happy if you complemented him.
-I don’t care if he is happy or not, but sure I might as well complement him if he manages to entertain me. But if he will try to do it with his half assed swordsmanship then it will rather irritate me and you know what happens to those who irritate me.
-relax, usual his fighting methods are completely different. He just got two bad cards and probably didn’t have a choice…

Yume did her best to defend her teammate from Rin’s wrath.

-then Amy, would there be anyone that you would found fighting interesting and you feel like you would enjoy it?
-I would like that have a fight with the one that leaded the tournament.
-you mean Musashi?
-yes, him. I wouldn’t say that he could win against me but I would say that I might have a lot of fun while trying to break through his defence.

“It might be even as fun as trying to break through ‘Shieldbearer’ until I found the perfect method for him.”

-anyone else?
-based on what they show so far then I don’t exactly have anyone else to point out. Even though I did enjoy looking at Levi and that other guy fight, fighting them would not be as enjoyable as even though they are not bad, their swordsmanship is not refined.
-Amy, I already did mention it to you but not everyone did learn under master fighter for few years before they started playing this game.
-I also know it but especially now that I had an occasion to fight someone who did learn under master fighter just like me, I was reminded once more how entertaining a fight can be. I even felt like I could start singing while fighting him, I don’t think there is anything that can beat that.
-isn’t it just a nostalgia effect?
-maybe it is. But as I said, I can’t feel like that if the fight does involve game skills.
-I guess it depends on what one likes. I personally don’t like both and I think fighting element should be removed from this game in the first place.
-I don’t know much about games but wouldn’t this one lose its meaning without fighting in it?

Rin asked as Yume started making some crazy theories about MMORPG without fighting.

-that’s how I feel, I don’t know if it would be good or bad…

“I would definitely get bored if there wasn’t any fighting here.”

-anyway Amy, it’s a rare occasion that we are together not in Karma so let’s go look around, there should be plenty of things to see. For starter, let’s try walking through that transparent bridge.
-sounds like good idea, let’s go.

And so Rin and Yume did just that.

To reach the transparent platform one would have to find the right tree. There were many ways to get to the upper level of Larisane but for someone completely new to the city it was not an obvious way. Still, with Yume asking for direction every ten meters, finding the way didn’t took them too much time. They entered the right house there in which there were stairs made of branches that leaded upward.

The so called ‘tree upper level’ in Larisane was made of two things. One was the branches that spread around and connected to other branches, other was the transparent crystal platforms and bridges. The houses were still the same, they were in the trunks. There was only slightly smaller number of people on the upper level than on the ground.

Upon reaching the top level, Yume spotted a familiar figure and right away called out.

-hey Mika, where did you lost your brother?

The figure had a long azure hair and was wearing a magical robe.

-ah, Yume it’s you, good morning…

The girl answered politely.

-if you are looking for Hiro then he doesn’t want to be disturbed right now, so if it’s nothing serious don’t bother him right now.
-I wasn’t looking for him but what is he doing that he even sent you away?
-he said that he will be preparing for a fight against… aaa.

Mika stopped when she realized who was standing behind Yume.

-she is not biting anyone, relax.
-… .

Even though Yume tried to calm her down it didn’t work well. Rather it looked like Mika could start running any second, that or crying out loudly.

-Rin, could you do something that would calm her down?
-it’s your friend not mine, but as for what will calm her down, the best would probably be if I simply walk away.

Rin would not make it easier on Yume, either.

-Mika, I know what stories you heard but you should already make an opinion of yours about her. You saw how she behaved those past few days so you should already understand her little. I know you have some bad memories with her but try to do that.

“Bad memories? Ah right, the time that I killed her. I didn’t even bother to remember as she died way too fast.”

Yume’s words did work more or less and it stopped Mika from running away. Mika didn’t say anything to Rin though, but then she did whisper to Yume something and then Yume said to Rin.

-Rin it looks like she doesn’t feel ready to talk with you but she wants to ask you something…

“It’s better if I just be done with it fast.”

-okay.
-she asks if ‘Arata passed the message’.
-what message?

Rin did not know what it was about. Yume once again listened to Mika.

-it was an apology of sort that what she says at least.
-I don’t remember anything like that.
-knowing him he probably forgot…

Yume said then Mika once again whispered to him.

-now she asks if you hate her brother for what he said on tactical meeting? By the way her brother is the guy that you are fighting next, the one with azure hair just like her.

“What is with that question?”

-if she wants a serious answer then tell her that I don’t hate anyone.

“To hate someone, I would first need to be involved with that person. Although, now that I think about it, I never really hated anyone. I might have said it but never truly felt like that. In the first place what does it exactly mean to hate someone?”

After Rin’s answer Mika whispered once again.

-oo… now she says that you don’t seem that scary anymore, she also likes your silky hair.
-what you said doesn’t seem that real as she is still talking through you.

Rin answered and was still making it as awkward as possible to let it end quickly.

-no, no, Mika was always like that from what I remember. It usually takes her a week to actually speak with new meet person. Even I had a problem on talking with her at first…

Then Mika whispered the last words to Yume and then she walked away.

-now she said that it was nice talking with you but she doesn’t want to disrupt us so she will be going now.

“Strange girl.”

Rin could only describe her as that.

After sightseeing from the transparent platform Rin and Yume returned to the ground. Yume was leading Rin somewhere as before, when they were above Yume managed to spot something and she wanted to confirm what she saw as even though she did saw some image she said she won’t believe it till she see it from closer.

Soon enough they reached their destination. It was a playground near some kind of temple. To Rin, it looked nothing unusual, just a simple playground where kids could play should they want to, although it was a little strange that it was quiet there. Rin had an occasion to see a similar playground in Karma and it was always filled with noises of playing kids.

-why did we came here Mary?
-just wait a minute, Amy. This way, this way.

They ended up entering through a small gate and when Rin walked pass the hedge she saw on the right what Yume wanted to show here.

-one more story! One more story!
-hey play with us again!
-hear our song again, hero!
-teach us some human magic!

There were numberous kids running around a playground or rather one spot in particular. Right in the middle of that spot there was a man with black hair. He was wearing a white cloak that at this moment was dragged in every direction possible by the kids that were around the man.

-haha, so I did see it right.

Yume said out loudly after seeing the scene.

“Well, I do understand why she did not believe it. Still seeing what is happening, I can only feel sorry for that man.”

Rin tried to imagine herself in the middle of that ‘storm’ but she finished immediately as even imagining it was not safe. But then someone came to the man rescue.

-everyone, we will have to go in twenty minutes so I will start telling the last story that you asked for, come here and give the tired hero a second of rest because after that he has great battles to fight!
-yes!

The kids that were surrounding Shin answered all at once and then all run up to the girl that called them. It was a girl with a long light brown hair with a braid going around the back of her head. She was wearing a long white-brown coat like jacket on a white shirt and brown miniskirt. She was also wearing a long boots. Rin even managed to remember the name of that girl and it was Julia.

All kids were quite obedient to her and when she started to tell them the story they all stayed quiet and listened with attention.

In the meantime Yume went to finally freed Shin and Rin went two meters behind her.

-hey Shin, what are you doing?

Yume end up asking.

-Yume, is that really you? Please kill me if you are not an illusion!

Shin answered but his voice was really worn out.

-haha, don’t joke like that.
-the worst part is that I am not joking. But you asked what I am doing…

Somehow in few seconds Shin went back to how he usually was.

-hmm to summarize it. I think that today I was paying for sins that I did not commit because no deeds deserve a punishment like this.

Shin answered in metaphor.

-from afar it looked like you had quite the fun.

Yume answered to him.

“Which part of that would you call fun?”

-fun you say? You know Yume, after those few hours I started to think that our defence of this city did not end yet. After all, the demons did invade this city and they are still here, they just took the form of kids to fool everyone.
-haha, you started telling fun jokes Shin. Despite what you say you seems to be in a good humor.
-good humor? Well you might say that. I cheer myself up by comparing the current situation with what I imagined could happen. Well what I expect did indeed happen but because I had help I managed to survive through it all. I will not be able to thank enough Julia for that.
-it shouldn’t be hard for you to thank her. Let’s see, go ask her for a date, this should paid off your debt.

Yume advise him.

-don’t even joke like that.
-I just telling you, if you want to thank her just do that, you will see how happy she will become. Well I did promised not to involve myself with it so… anyway Shin, are you perhaps bad with kids?
-I wouldn’t say ‘bad’ but when they outnumber me like this I didn’t know what to do. And to answer your previous question, I doing it because Hikari asked me to do it, as it was my duty as village hero she said. I never asked to be that hero though. There is also a matter that I don’t deserve that title either but it was too late before I realized that everything went that far and there is nothing that can be done about it.
-you will have to play that part then.
-as long as it only once in a while, I can somehow survive it. Anyway what are you two doing here?
-nothing in particular we are just sightseeing.
-I see. Well it should soon be a time for a second round so you will have to continue it later.
-but how are you planning of fighting when you are worn out like that?

Yume end up asking. Indeed Shin didn’t rest much after the first fights, he rather got more tired.

-I would end up losing anyway so there is not a problem, is there? In the first place it’s a miracle that I even managed to win against Bran…

“It didn’t look like that to me. And if you call that fight a miracle, what would you call a fight in which you won against Arata?”

-well, my fight is already decided but other fights will be something that I want to look out. I still want to see what the twilight swordsman can really do as I think that we still only glanced at his ability.
-even though you managed to win against him already?
-hahahaha, I managed to win, that’s a good joke.
-but you did win.
-so I am still interested in how far Arata can go, then I am also little interested in how Julia progressed over pass few months when I wasn’t here. If Musashi and Kei don’t get any troll cards it will also be really good fight and I will be able to grasp their form completely so it will also be interesting. But lastly the thing I am most interested in is a last fight and in particular how good has Hiro become lately. I not sure if he did really took that break or not but whatever he did or not it also does not matter as even before that break it was long time since I saw him fighting seriously.
-now, that you said that. It did seem that he wasn’t trying too hard lately but still always did everything perfectly and then whenever I asked Mika what he is doing the answer would be he is training.
-yes, I was quite interested in how far his training brought him and how far can I push him right now in the fights now. That information will definitely come in handy in this expedition. I already managed to grasp most of people strength from our group but two still remain unknown and they are Arata and Hiro. Hiro, mostly.
-then what about me?

Rin ended up asking and entered conversation.

-you are outside of my scale so I won’t even try to grasp you. I know that you will manage any situation that we arrive at, and if you don’t then I am sure that it will mean our instant doom. Hopeful it won’t happen, although I do expect it to happen, it’s a west after all. Well we can only try our best to not let that happen.

With that said Shin stand up from his chair and then walked to where Julia was. There he said some last words to kids and he and Julia walked away, then everyone together started walking as the time for a second round was drawing near.

When they were walking Julia was in ‘more than a good mood’ by Rin’s opinion. It looked like Yume also had that opinion so she ended up asking.

-Julia, something good happened to you?
-do you even have to ask Yume! You did saw it didn’t you. For the first time Shin did really rally on me, for the first time I feel that I actually did help him, normally it always feels like he can do everything by himself.

Julia answered smiling, she was pleased as punch.

-I do know what you mean.
-I don’t know what you two mean by that though. Also if you could, don’t talk about me in my presence.

Yume and Julia were not really concerned by Shin presence next to them when they talked.

-what, you don’t want to hear our opinion?

Yume asked.

-no. Anyway I was finally freed from my torture and I need some time to get over it.
-rather than getting over it you should rather enjoy the moment. Right now you are surrounded by three beautiful girls, shouldn’t you feel excited?

Yume was not making it easy for Shin, still his shell was not easily broken.

-excited? Why should I feel excited about it? Maybe if it was in real world… hmm no that would still be not excitement but nervousness, now that I think about it that situation would be somewhat scary. I really don’t want to go through that.
-I think that you are just saying that.
-am I?
-yes and I will prove it to you… here.

Yume speed up a little and then she ended up pushing Julia right into where Shin was going.

-aaa…!

Julia was going to go right into him but she was completely unprepared for it. Still Yume’s intention did not happened as Julia rather than landing in Shin’s arms ended up going through his body.

“Clone?”

-ha?
-I predicted that something bad might have happened so for my own safety I prepared a double. I don’t know what your intention was but you nearly knocked Julia.

Shin said out of nowhere as his clone disappeared.

Julia did in fact nearly fall to the ground but she somehow stopped in an air before falling completely. Then the true figure of Shin started to appear. He managed to catch her and prevented her from falling. In a way Yume’s plan did work out like intended.

-ah! I am sorry Julia!
-yes, you should be but this time it’s my thanks.

Julia answered while being helped up to stand up.

-ah, what do I have with you.

Shin said out loudly and helped Julia back on her feet.

-so how was it, did you get any excited?
-… .

Shin did not answer to Yume and started to walk faster. I looked like he had enough already and was really annoyed.

-ah, Yume, see what you have done!?
-I was just trying to start a conversation. It was a little too quiet given that there are four people. But sorry I wasted your chance Julia.
-I already feel fulfilled today so don’t worry.
-by the way, you also were quite quiet before, which was unlike you.
-that’s because in those pass few hours I understood something about Shin, something that I didn’t saw before.
-what would that be?
-well, I can’t really describe it well, but that makes me love him even more.
-didn’t you once said that you can’t love someone more that you loved Shin already?
-I was simply wrong that time.
-well as always I will simply wish you luck on this and as promised I won’t involve myself in it. Still Julia, one question, how did it happened that you ended up helping him together. As far as I remember he left quite early and alone after all fights ended.
-well about that…

Julia explained everything to Yume.

Rin was not really listening to that though. She was also not listening to any of their earlier talk either as she saw it as a pointless chatter. Right now she was just enduring all this and the thing she most waited for was a journey to the west. For her today’s tournament was also more waste of time. She did see the main point why it was played out but she didn’t see point in her participating in it. She rather felt like she was simply getting in a way and make this tournament really unbalanced.

They soon arrived in a place where previous rounds of the tournament were played. Most of people were already there but some were still missing. Rin once again walked away from everyone and took the role of spectator.

-Shin, although the few people are missing we could start already now that Julia is here, don’t you think.

Upon noticing their arrival Musashi commented.

-there is no need to rush and only few are missing so we could wait a minute. It also is not the given time yet. If you want to start though go ahead.

Shin answered and also walked to the spot in which he was previously sitting.

-guess I will ask the participants of the first fight…

Because both Arata and Julia were already here so the first fight could be fought out. Right now the only missing people were Vatras, Mika and Hiro.

Before Musashi could even continue Vatras managed to get on time as well, although he was with ‘unusual companion’. Upon getting closer he only said.

-I tried to talk her out from this but you know it was impossible Shin.

The person that came with Vatras was Hikari. She was as Rin earlier understood this village elder. Although she didn’t look old at all. She had blond-silver long straight hair, so one may argue about that but her face revealed that she would be at maximum Rin’s age.

-Tras, I am not going to say anything and will simply watch from a distance so you can all behave like I am not here.

Hikari said to him before anyone could react to her visit.

-somehow I don’t believe that can happen. The word silent does not go that well with you princess.

From afar Bran, the dwarf with the black beard commented.

-don’t expect me to have any reaction from me for your provoking Bran. What you said is true though, I would like to have a companion while watching you fight. Hmm…

Hikari looked around and when she did her golden eyes stopped on Rin.

-great, I think I found one. Anyway I will not take any of your time.

“You don’t mean me, do you?”

Unfortunately Rin’s worries came true and the girl ended up walking in her direction.

-wait Hikari, maybe it’s not the best idea!

Even Shin who would usually stay passive tried to stop her.

-I am not here, remember…

Hikari didn’t even looked behind and continued forward. Everyone’s worries were quite under stable as Rin was not someone with whom you could easily have a happy conversation. Well, that’s what everyone thought at least.

-you won’t mind if I sit here, won’t you? …

Rin was taken by surprise by polite request so she couldn’t do anything that agree to her.

-but sitting on a rock is not that comfortable, isn’t it? Let’s change it asap…

Hikari just flipped her fingers in right hand and when that happened the rock that Rin was sitting on turned into a comfortable sofa that would be enough for ever two people of Rin’s and Hikari’s posture which were quite similar.

“Wow it’s really soft.”

Rather than being surprised by that, Rin focused more on how good the sofa that appeared was.

Hikari ended up sitting right next to Rin and started.

-we still don’t know each other, do we? My name is Hikari, what is yours?
-Rin.
-you have a nice name.
-… .

“What does she want from me?”

Rin could not read her intentions and was on high alert.

-hmm as I thought you are not really talkative, are you? You wouldn’t sit here all alone if you were, not in this group at least.
-being in this group is one temporary thing for me.

Rin decided to answer her.

-I see it does not matter to me though, because I am not a part of this group as well…

“Someone who is not a player couldn’t be.”

-anyway I kind of like people that aren’t talkative. Anyway I do have a specific reason for choosing you as my companion. There are few less important reasons but this one thing I will have you answer me.
-I don’t mind, so what you wanted to ask.

Rin was not wasting a second and went straight away.

-well, that can wait for later, after all, I came here mostly to simply relax and see those guys fighting as it is entertaining in a way.
-it doesn’t seem like it will be starting yet though.

Rin ended up saying it out loud. It seemed like Hikari was not expecting that and actually decided to stay a little more quiet as Rin was giving of ‘leave me alone’ aura but now that she said something Hikari smiled.

-so you don’t mind talking with me?
-why would I?
-well as I said, you don’t seem really talkative but that’s not only that. Sometimes there are people that will not talk with me normally simply because I am not one of them.

“One of them?”

-you mean an adventurer?
-yes that, some of you are really discriminating in that regard or rather because I am not an adventurer like them they feel that they need to treat me in different way. Well this group is an exception though.
-I think it differs from person from person.

Just like Rin answered treating ‘inhabitants of this world’ was something that every player did differently. Generally everyone could be divided in four groups. The first one would be people who treat them as simple NPCs. Those people simply think that like in any other games the NPCs are some you talk with only when you need something from them. Those people would refrain from any other interaction with them and think of it as a waste of time. This group considered mostly people who were new to EOA. With time most of people would fall into either group two or three. The group two would be people that do interact with inhabitants of this world in less formal way and they do know that they are different from other games that they knew so far. They also know that getting friendly with NPCs gives one a lot of merits, from discount in the shop all the way to getting quest from them. The more important NPC was, the more merits you could get. For example the peak would probably be getting friendly with the NPC of the king in some country. Doing so was not easy but there were few people who managed to do so. The merits of having friend NPC like that were limitless. That’s why the second group would interact with NPCs actively. But in the end they would not treat them in a same way than other players like them. Even if they managed to get friendly with NPCs they would not be able to treat them equally to other people. In EOA most of the people belonged to this group. Still there were large chunk of people that belonged to group three. Group three was in a way similar to a group two but with a difference that people in group for could treat NPCs equally to other people. After spending enough time in this world they would understand people that were living in it fully and that having an NPC friend was exactly the same as having a friend in real life. It sometimes even went as far as having a mirage with someone from here. That occurrence would not be considered normal though, and at the current time it was lobed as the disease of the times. And lastly there was the last group. The people of this group are few but grouping them with any other group would do them no justice. The characteristic of that group was treating people from this world in a better way than players. Other way to describe those people would be ‘oddballs’.

By the way, Rin was a rare example who would classify to group 4. That might be one of the reasons that when Hikari approach her, she didn’t feel any unwillingness. Then there was also a fact that recently Rin was talking with others a lot more than usual. In fact she was talking more than she herself would want to.

-I feel like I will have nice time talking with you, so let’s do it Rin.

When Rin started to answer to Hikari, Hikari was becoming more and more eager to continue the talk.

“She is already saying my name so freely. Maybe I should try as well. After all, she is not someone I need to be afraid of getting in touch with.”

-okay Hikari.

When Rin answered like that Hikari’s golden eyes actually lighten up.

-ah, now I really feel like coming here was a good choice. Technically right now I am ditching some work.
-but isn’t it bad?
-it’s wasn’t that important and could easily be done some other time and if someone complains that I don’t do my work, I have no problem with stepping down from my position or rather I really want to do that.
-you are this village elder, aren’t you?
-don’t you dare to call me that Rin, do I look like old grandma to you? Because that is how I sometimes feel when people call me that.

“I kind of understand, I also have a ‘names’ that I hate being called.”

-I wouldn’t feel good calling you that anyway. How old are you though Hikari?

Rin started to feel more and more comfortable in this conversation. Still, that was simply a difference when it came to Rin’s interaction with players and Rin’s interaction with non-players.

-right now, I am 18 but try not to spread this information around.
-you are younger than me then, only by a year though.

When Rin answered Hikari smiled again.

-as I thought, we are similar age. You know, one of the reasons I choose to sit here is because I thought I will have a chance for a normal conversation with someone my age. It’s not like in this village there are lack of people who also are around my age but simply because of my position everyone treats me differently.
-seems hard.
-all I want right now is to live a life of a normal girl and have a freedom to do what I please. Unfortunately there is no one else who can take my position right now and as long as the village is still recovering I will need to stay here and do what has to be done.
-does being a leader of this village take a lot of your time?
-no, it’s not that bad. Also my responsibilities are generally not taking that much time. When nothing special is happening I have quite a lot time to do anything I want. The worst part however is that I can’t leave this village and that prevents me from doing things I want the most. But I will not complain, with time, in a year or two, I will be able to pass on my title to someone else.
-as long as you see the end you can survive anything. But how did it, happened that you became an elder Hikari?
-well, it’s a long story which I don’t really want to recall but in short, it’s all, that guy fault…

Hikari pointed in the direction where Shin was sitting. The fights did still not start yet.

-now then maybe you will tell me something about yourself Rin. Like for example, why did you end up joining this team, even if only temporary?
-why did I join? It’s rather simple. They were planning an expedition to the west and I found myself in need to go there. There are two other people who joined with me so I didn’t do it alone.
-I see. I don’t need to ask anything else, well you shouldn’t regret it, I do know this group for some time now. Although its members are a little different than before, they hold a great power that can overcome anything. I saw it with my own eyes, so you can trust me on that. Although Rin, I must say that yours overall abilities greatly outclass anyone who belongs to this group.
-why do you think so Hikari? It’s the first time you see me?

Rin ended up asking her.

-it’s simply because I can tell someone’s power just by looking. And it’s doesn’t even have to be looking at someone’s fight. I just need to see them and see their aura.
-aura?
-it’s an energy that truly describes someone’s power. It’s hard to explain it to people who can’t see it and so far I never meet anyone else with that ability so I don’t know if I am the only person that can do that or not. Still, I did confirm that what I see is 100% correct. Rin you said that you are new in this party, right? Do you want me to tell you their power standing? It will not only come in your journey but also you might use it in this tournament. Although there will not really be any need for that I guess as you are really completely outclassing everyone here by far.
-does that ability really tell the truth?
-yes I graduate that, well even if you won’t believe it completely right away, if you compare what I said with what you already know and seen from them, you may recognize that at least nothing is wrong and there are no errors.

“Well, I can’t say I am not interested. I already did found out that this group is better than I last remember them.”

-somehow I already do believe you and anyway I would like to hear that.
-okay then I will tell you and although I do not see it as numbers I will simply rank everyone by number that will symbolize their current power. I already looked over everyone when you first time came here today so I can tell you it right away.
-how I will know what number means what?
-the higher number the higher power. I will keep it simple and won’t try to go into the details so 10 points will mean the strongest of you, and that is you of course…

“If she would say differently, then I would not be able to believe her.”

Rin already had a good clue on everyone’s ability. After all, she did fight and also killed most of the people that were here with few exceptions at least once.

-still I must say that you are really outclassing everyone here, the intensity of your aura is way above the average that I usually see. Even in the whole village there would be only one person that could stop you.
-and who would that be?

Rin got interested in what Hikari said although she did have a clue as to who would it be.

-well, it does not matter. You won’t be fighting that person anyway. And also, I wasn’t going to mention anyone beside Shin’s team.
-wait, you mean it’s not one of them?
-no, I did say that that you are outclassing everyone here by far didn’t I? But did you perhaps have anyone in mind. I might as well check again, I might have missed that person. So who is it Rin?
-check that guy in black cloak with white-black hair.
-him? Well I can already tell you that I didn’t get him wrong as I did see him clearly as he spoke e to me when you all arrive but it won’t hurt checking again…

Hikari focused her eyes on Hikari for three seconds and then continued.

-yes, I wasn’t wrong. I would say that he is over-all better than most here but it’s only if you compare them with others. I don’t see any reason to think that he could win against you in a fight.
-you are sure about it?
-yes I am. You are not wrong thinking that he is good though, from all people here he would be at the second place together with two others and after them there is another gap between them and following people. Not as huge as between you and those three though.
-then, in your scoring how much would he get?
-those three at second place would get score of 6 at most. To explain the difference here I will simply say that even if they all fight against you at once they would still lose against you.
-no, it shouldn’t be right.

Rin was sure that at least Arata should be able to keep up with her and should she lose the focus for an instant she could even lose. Also ever since she saw how he defeated the crimson knight, she was actually convinced that he didn’t fight her seriously, that’s why what Hikari was saying did not seem real to her. But then Hikari asked.

-Rin, is your power the reason that you don’t want to interact with other people in this group?
-no, it’s not it.
-still, you did overestimate someone’s ability so you don’t have to feel alone. You wanted someone who would be same as you, didn’t you? …

Rin did not think like Hikari just said. She herself knew the best how good was Arata in that other world, so she did not overestimate him because of wanting to meet someone on her level. Still, it was true that she wanted to meet someone who could keep up with her and enjoy a good fight.

-in a way I do, but I didn’t overestimate Arata because of that.
-there is nothing wrong with what you did though, it’s not like everyone can tell someone’s ability just by looking, well unless it’s me…

Hikari lighten up the conversation again.

-you will find strong people if you look for them though. In this world there are people to whom your power would mean nothing. Still, right now I do feel little bad that I told you that what you though was wrong. Even if it’s a lie, a thought of having someone equal to you near is precious and I did take it away.
-you didn’t do anything wrong and I still did not fully confirm that everything you said is as you see it. I think that someone’s ability can’t be classified by number. They are also not something that stays the same. One day you might feel better, one day you may feel worse and because of that you might be stronger or weaker on those days.
-you mean that time of a month?

To Rin’s serious answer, Hikari joked around.

-I didn’t mean that!

Rin answered with higher voice.

-yes, yes, I do know that feeling well, you are not alone on this front Rin.

The problem was that Hikari would not stop without continuing it.

-it’s really not that!
-haha.

Hikari laughed out loud when she got that reaction from Rin.

In the meantime the first fight of the second round of ‘luck by draw tournament’ still did not started. There were few minor reasons for that like Hiro and Mika still missing but that wouldn’t be a big problem as Hiro’s fight was coming last. The reason for delaying was in fact Hikari’s and Rin’s conversation. Most of the people, if not everyone were surprised by how the two looked from afar. Rin left alone, most of the people here didn’t know Hikari that well either. For them it was some really important NPC that was the head of this village. Even her appearance here, made some a sensation, but then her speaking happily with Rin from all people was more than strange.

On the other hand for someone who just came here without knowing who they are, seeing Rin and Hikari, there would be nothing wrong about. It would just be two girls of about the same age chatting together happily, was there anything strange in that?

Then someone that didn’t find it strange at all did indeed come. For her who knew Hikari well and also did start to slowly understand Rin as well, it was somehow perfectly normal.

-em, you didn’t start yet?

Mika said out loudly as she finally arrived.

-no we didn’t, we were waiting for you and Hiro, where is he by the way?

Musashi asked.

-I have a message from him. Until his fight begins, he won’t be coming so no one disturbs him. He also did specifically tell me to mention that really no one should say anything to him until his fights begins. But if you want to know where he is, he is not too far so when it will be his turn for fight I can call him right away.
-that shouldn’t be a problem but what if a team fight appears and he gets chosen?
-I did ask him the same and he said to pass on this massage. Em… well it meant that he doesn’t want to fight in team fights chose someone else.

The way she answered did mean that he probably didn’t say just that.

-he does have his hands full with his own fight so let’s give it to him, Musashi. Also didn’t we decided last time that if in the later stage of the tournament the group fight appears, the priority would go to people who already lost?

Vatras intervened.

-yes, I think that we did agree to that. Anyway we already delayed enough so maybe we should get things started. So Arata, Julia, are you ready?
-wait a minute Musashi!

Suddenly Vivi interrupted him.

-what’s wrong Vivi?
-you know I had a talk with everyone and we decided that you don’t do that good of a job on leading this tournament.
-it’s my first time I hear it.
-aye, no one said anything, she just thought of that right now.

Flynn commented.

-well maybe not everyone but anyway as the one that is announcing the fights you should spice them up a little even before they start. With some good introduction you could make it much more interesting to watch, like for example what they are doing it in Arena.
-Musashi is doing everything perfectly and there is no need for that Vivi.

Even Shin ended up commenting.

-but I think we will have more fun that way. Also we have an unexpected visitor so we should make it more enjoyable for her to watch…

After this argument no one said anything.

-then it’s decided.
-wait, wait, I am not doing any of that. It was your idea so you do it. I never asked to lead the tournaments anyway.

Musashi ended up stepping down from the position and sit down next to Vatras, instead the Vivi was now going to lead it. Although, somehow in that moment, the seriousness of this tournament partly vanished.

-I wasn’t prepared for that but sure, although…

Vivi said and then started to look around. She soon found a person she need.

-hey Yume! Help me out here, if it will be the two of us it will be the best show ever.
-is it okay?
-yes, come, come.

Yume ended up being a second presenter as well and now the seriousness of the tournament completely vanished.

-Vivi, I think I have a good idea listen for a bit.

Yume and Vivi started talking to each other in whispers.

-I have a bad feeling about this.

Flynn commented.

-aye, while listening to what they want to do and not only in this fight you will start to think you got lucky to get eliminated in the first round.

Bran added as he did hear their whispers.

-hey, maybe we should start already Julia, we are behind the time right?!

Arata wanted to speed up the process before Yume and Vivi finished.

-yes I think it’s a good idea.
-no, no, no you two, you must wait till for the ‘leading figure’ to start the fight. That’s how the rules go, right Shin?

Vivi said out with an evil smile.

-yes, but ‘leading figure’ will be replaced if it slacks too much, just start the fight already.
-yes, yes, just a second, Yume are you ready?

Yume nodded and after five seconds of silence started.

-welcome back, ladies and gentleman on the second round of twelfth ‘luck by draw tournament’. My name is Yume and I will be a commentator for today’s fights and joining me there is Vivi.
-hi everyone! Before I continue with tournament let me remind you that today we have a special guest with us. The youngest in history elder of Larisane, the great and only one Hikari!
-everyone, applause!

After Yume shouted someone did end up clapping and it was more than one person, although it died out fast.

-haha, what they are doing? I did tell them to don’t mind me?

Hikari ended up being amused by the show.

-those people always do what they want, you can’t control them. Mary is especially uncontrollable one. And they only just started.

Rin replied.

-now everyone! The second round will begin and eight people will battle it out for the glory and prestige…

Vivi continued.

“There is neither of that in this pseudo tournament of theirs.”

-the first fight of the second round is between Julia and Arata. Yume what will you say to this match up?
-the fate must be cruel to put those two against each other. Even though they know each other only for few days they are already really friendly with each other.
-yes, I do know what you mean. Did you ever see Julia talking with other male one on one?
-I did but only once and it was two days ago when she spoke with Arata.
-and not only that they talked through entire night. Also we must remember that their ‘talk’ might not exactly be talk, this is what they told us.
-we will never know what really happened that night. We can only guess what two young people of the same age might have been doing during the night.

“They are both idiots.”

That was the only conclusion that Rin could arrive at. She didn’t even want to place herself in Arata’s position right now, although it looked like him and actually most of the people here already started to ignore what Yume and Vivi were saying. Still, there would be few people that didn’t know the situation and would end up asking.

-Rin, does those two go out?

Hikari who was sitting next to Rin asked.

-no they are not and also note for a future, ignore whatever they are saying so you will not get confused.
-but what they say wasn’t lies. I am good when it comes to see if someone is lying.
-yes they are not lying. They simply take what really happen and try to color it with whatever they want. I see that people here are already resilient to it though so no one bothers to stop them.
-ah, I see… still as you said it’s not like what they say is a lie and who know what will happen in a future. It may as well be as they said. The strings of fate go in many directions.

“I don’t see Arata changing in that regard though.”

Though Rin, while hearing what Hikari said. Still rather not seeing it coming, she was actually sure of it. She knew Arata well enough to know that the connection he has with his ‘loved one’ is not something that can be broken.

-okay, this is enough, start the fight already!

Musashi voiced the thoughts of many who were listening to Yume’s and Vivi’s introduction.

-but we still didn’t mention.

Vivi complained.

-no it was a bad idea to let you to do it. I will do this role again!
-yes, please let Musashi do it!

Konan ended up lamenting.

-it doesn’t even have to be him but anyone but them!

Kuma also added.

-Yume, Vivi sit down already and don’t interfere!

And at the end Flynn ended up shouting.

-but it’s not fair!
-okay then a fast voting. Is there a single person that want those two to continue?…

The only two that raised their hands were Yume and Vivi.

-that seals the thing.
-wait, wait, wait, another voting. This one was not fair as usual most of us don’t mind either way. So let’s vote if anyone is against us continuing?

Surprisingly this time nearly everyone raised their hands.

-that’s seals the thing even more. Now Musashi do your job.

The tournament returned to normal.

-so before anything interrupts us again Julia draw the card already.

As Musashi instructed Julia quickly draw one card and started reading it.

-scenario: glass cannon against a boss. Condition: to win the match you have to hit your opponent only once. At the same time you lose if you got hit even once.
-thankfully it looks like I won’t have to kill you Julia.

Arata said this after he heard the condition.

“There he goes again, I hope he gets beaten and learn something from it.”

-you sound quite confident but I think that this condition favors me. I don’t think I would win in normal fight against you but if it’s only one hit then I might. I am quite confident in my speed.

Julia answered to him.

-I looking forward to the fight then.
-okay, ready! Set! Go!

And so the fight began. On the mark, Julia without delay started her attack. She passed the distance between her and Arata in blink of an eye before Arata actually got ready as he still had his swords sheathed. Her first attack was also really quick. The tempo, at which she unsheathed her rapier and thrusted it forward was incredible. Still even if she was confident in her speed, Arata was also more of speed type character so he was quick on uptake. He managed to parry the rapier up with first strike that came from unsheathing the sword. After that he made simple horizontal slash with the other sword. Julia managed to jump back in time before it got her. The first clash was finished but then Arata became somewhat transparent like a black ghost and dashed forward. Julia instantly tried to attack him as his attack had many weak points but her rapier went through Arata without resistance as if she slashed the wind. On the other hand Arata went through her like a ghost and stopped few meters behind her. In this confrontation he left a small wound on Julia’s right hand. He on the other hand didn’t take any damage.

It actually took few seconds for everyone to realize what just happened but soon Musashi shouted.

-the winner Arata!

“He actually went ahead and used game skills in a fight!?”

It seemed that Arata didn’t want this fight to last too long so he decided to end it in one go.

-ah, it finished really fast. But it couldn’t be otherwise if the fight was to one strike…

Hikari commented but at the moment Rin was not listening to her.

“This skill may proof troublesome. From where I saw it it’s practically not possible to counter it. All I can do is dodge it, but if he decides to use it when we are in the middle of exchanging blow I won’t be able to avoid it in time.”

-what is it Rin?

Hikari asked and this time Rin heard her.

-nothing, I was just thinking of how some countermeasures against that skill.
-I see. Well it indeed may look powerful but all you actually need to do is to counter it with the skill of your own.
-skill of my own?
-yes if you do so, his skill will not work like intended and all will end in clash of both of your skills simple as that…

“I see so it’s like this. It still may not be easy to activate the skill in time but if it’s like that then as long as I realize that he wants to use it there shouldn’t be any problems.”

And so the chances of Arata winning against Rin once again decreased. There was a reason to keep your skills hidden from others after all so you can afterwards surprise your potential opponent with it, still the purpose of this tournament was to let others see your skills so hiding them would be against the purpose of finding out what your teammates can do.

-ah, maybe I shouldn’t have told you that to keep things fair but you would have realize it by yourself and even if you didn’t he still wouldn’t have chances against you.
-well, thanks for believing in me.
-no rather than believing I do know that no one here has a realistic chance to win against.

Hikari ended up saying but then she first looked surprised and then she stopped her gaze on one direction.

-what is this color!?

She said surprised and at the same time excited.

-color?
-ah, such beautiful aura, how could I miss it before? No, I couldn’t miss it. Did someone new just came here? I didn’t allow any other visitors today!…

Hikari stood up from the sofa and leaned to the right to see what was behind the tree that obscured her vision. Then she said.

-Hiro? But, why? His aura was always dark blue and not like this. Even today at morning when he came here it was the same as always. Maybe little stronger it still felt similar to the one he had a year ago. But now he suddenly has this beautiful aura.
-what do you mean by beautiful aura?

Rin end up asking. To that Hikari sit back to the bench although it was clear that she kept on looking in that direction.

-I did told you that I can see people’s aura and depending on their color and intensity I can tell someone strength. But now if I were to compare everyone’s aura here to the one that Hiro has right now they would all look blank.
-you mean that his aura look stronger than everyone’s else?
-no, no it’s not like that. Sure it looks strong but in comparison to yours it still has a long way to go.
-then what?
-hmm…. Hmmm, annn… no I can’t explain it to you, you would have to see everything by yourself. Even explaining normal auras is hard enough. Anyway I can only say that his aura looks really beautiful right now.

Rin still did not understand what Hikari meant by that but it was clear that she was looking at something that Rin did not see. Otherwise Rin could not think of a reason why someone’s eyes could be this excited by looking at a simple tree.

“Beautiful aura, hmm? I hope it means that he will be strong enough to entertain me.”

In the meantime the next round of tournament was about to start. Musashi and Kei were already on positions and Musashi just draw the card. Still despite that this fight looked to be interesting, Hikari decided ‘that looking at the tree’ was more entertaining for her. Rin decided to ignore what she is doing and looked at the fight.

-scenario…

He started reading.

-additional power in the fight. Condition: you have to choose someone who is nearby and ask them for their one buff. The same person can’t buff both fighters. After being buffed simply fight and win your fight. -hmm, that means that we will actually have a fair fight. I have been waiting for a day in which I will finally defeat you Musashi.

Kei who usually was calm and collected was now somewhat excited.

-hmm you never won against me even once did you? In that case it will be fair to let you chose the buff first.
-no, no you can choose it first.
-Musashi, the person who draws the card chooses first, read the last sentence as well.
-it’s not here Shin.

Musashi ended up showing him the card.

-oh, you are right but still it should be there so you are choosing first.

It seemed like Shin actually made a mistake.

-it doesn’t really change much who goes first as buffs are secondary thing, in that case I will…

Musashi answered but then.

-wait a minute! Hey Shin, does someone nearby means anyone nearby?

Musashi asked as if he realized something incredible.

-well yes, that’s how the rules are written. You can ask anyone that you see here… oh.

And then Shin stopped with a blank face.

-Shin, did you perhaps not consider this one fully?

Musashi asked.

-I guess, to my defence it’s the leftover card from previous tournament and at that time a circumstance like this could not happen. Still Musashi you will not cheat and ask ‘her’ for auto win right?
-hmm, hiding my abilities before the next fight with Arata sounds appealing but I can’t do this to Kei, after seeing him fired up like this.
-what do you mean?

Kei ended up asking not knowing what they were talking about.

-well, the rules said everyone present right?
-yes and?
-that also means Hikari.
-… .

When Musashi explained that, Kei somehow got quiet.

-well, don’t worry I am not a person who would feel good after winning it this way, I am not like Bran.
-what do you mean by that Musashi. It’s only fair to use the luck that the tournament has brought you. What if Kei take buff from Hikari instead?
-he won’t. Anyway, I will take +5% to everything from Thesar.

Musashi said and right away Kei calmed down.

-go Kei, destroy him now for this choice!

Bran continued to urge to evil.

-in this case I will take the same buff from Tras.

Kei choose his buff ignoring Bran’s comments. In the first place in this tournament, everyone usually wanted to have a fair condition to test their strengths instead of unreasonable condition that make them automatic win. It would probably be impossible if it was a tournament full of strangers in which everyone want to win but here there was nothing like that. There was no satisfaction if the condition was unfair in the first place. Musashi and Kei moved to the fighting space and.

-okay, I will anyway despite participating in the fight. Ready! Set, Go!

The second battle of the second round has started and it was completely fair fight.

Kei rushed forward the moment the fight started and Musashi right away prepared his defence. He held his large tower shield in front of him and with his free right hand he also held his trident forward. The moment Kei reached him which was few seconds after he started running he had to stop as otherwise he would end up on the trident that was before him. He tried to push it away with his sword to get forward but that only resulted in getting to the front of the shield that completely covered the space between him and Musashi. In this moment he quickly went back as staying before that shield was not safe. The situation returned to where it was before.

Kei once again tried to break through the defense but then once again he had to stop before trident. With fast move he tried to move to the right to run away from it but Musashi only had to circle around and even though the positions changed a little the situation did not. Kei couldn’t even reach Musashi shield at the current moment much less Musashi himself.

-what is it? It’s not any different from usual?

Musashi ended up saying it.

-… .

Kei did not answer though and get to the action right away. He went forward right onto the trident and this time the moment Musashi pierced with it Kei catch it with his glove protector. While holding it he moved forward. He once encountered the tower shield so Kei simply slashed at it with his sword. His sword shined with blue light when he did that but that gave completely no effect and Musashi’s shield didn’t even move an inch back. Still after doing so Kei let go of his sword and stretched his hand to the right which was at the range where there was no shield. From there Kei casted a small fireball at threw it to Musashi. Still the moment he did that Musashi moved his shield to the left and the small fireball just landed on the shield without doing anything.

-still not good…-

Musashi was going to say ‘not good enough’ but in this moment Kei let go of his trident and no with his free left hand pierced forward. Apart from a glove protector that served as a defense he did not have any weapon there and his sword was connected to his right hand with the chain. Still in this moment black energy formed around Kei’s left hand and it seemed as if his hand turned into black spear.

The important thing was that the pierce had free way to Musashi as he just moved his shield to the left to defend against the fireball but now probably he would prefer to ignore that attack and defend against this one. This attack, even if usually used with the sword rather than hand was Kei’s strongest attack and the moment it would meet Musashi’s armor, despite Musashi having good tank gear it would be not enough to defend against that and that’s why Musashi did not let it happen.

The moment that Kei’s attack was nearly there Musashi activated his own skill. In a place where he was going to be hit a new layer of defense was created. It was in a shape of transparent blue-gray crystal that appeared at space where Kei was going to hit. The dark spear upon clashing with the crystal stopped and started to try to break through it. The small parts of the crystal were scattering around but despite that the crystal layer was not broken as it regenerated itself.

After 10 seconds when Kei’s skill effect ended the crystal that was so far only appearing on that spot spread completely over Musashi’s armor and not only. At the current moment Musashi was not wearing any helmet but a crystal helmet did appear on his head. Also his tower shield that was completely flat now had a crystal spikes on it. Some those spikes pierced through Kei as he was trying to stretch his body the furthest he could in his last attack. Now that it finished without success he wanted to somehow get away but Musashi did not give him this chance.

-horya!

With a battle shout Musashi started to run while keeping his shield with Kei still impaled on it. His destination was the nearby tree. Musashi ended up running right into that tree which in effect completely crushed Kei’s body. Well maybe not completely but more spikes impaled him more deeply. Still Kei was not wearing any armor but simple black shirt and jeans so he simply couldn’t live through that.

Musashi kept pushing his shield forward for about 10 seconds to make himself sure of his victory but the voices of pain disappeared the second Kei hit the tree so there was no real need for that.

Musashi deactivated his skill after walking away from the tree and all crystals around him disappeared. Kei’s body slid down from the shield which no longer had spikes on it and fall to the ground without hints of living. The battle has ended.

-well you won this one Musashi.

Vatras announced the winner as it would be strange as Musashi himself would announce himself as a winner.

Without waiting for anyone else Vatras started to heal Kei up. Musashi walked back towards his usual position.

“As I though, it would be interesting to try to break through his defense.”

Rin thought like that after seeing the fight.

-ohhh, seems like Sashi is still as good as always.

Hikari who was sitting next to Rin commented although from what Rin saw, Hikari was mostly busy with ‘watching the tree’ rather then the fight.

-Sashi? Who is Sashi?
-Sashi is Sashi of course.

Hikari answered like it was obvious.

-and so Musashi’s nearly undefeated record against melee continues.

Bran ended up commenting after the fight ‘over there’.

-you are saying it like nothing, he nearly got me, I didn’t know that he can use that skill without a sword.
-don’t say it like that you completely destroyed our ace…

Bran continued the praise.

-ah… how will we ever defeat that… .

In the distance Kuma ended up commenting.

-yea, it’s impossible to win against Musashi as melee. Not only he has his long range tanking but also even if by some miracle you break through it you will encounter his crystal defense.

He was speaking with Lee as they were both melee dps who couldn’t ever win against Musashi and they were once again reminded of that fact.

In the meantime Kei was healed up by Vatras and returned to his previous position also slightly depressed.

-hey Kei, is it perhaps that our ace has lost his touch?

Bran couldn’t leave him be seeing that.

-I never won against him and today was simply another day of the same thing.
-by the way I can win against Musashi if I try hard enough so what does it make?
-and I can defeat you so what does it make?

Somehow usually quiet Kei was not easily taking comments right now.

-is that so, maybe you want to try?
-Bran, if you wanted to fight with him then you shouldn’t have lost in the first round!

Before it went out of hand Musashi stopped them.

-I just tried to cheer him up, that’s all.
-oh, you tried to cheer him up by getting owned by him, aye Bran it was probably good idea.

Flynn ended up joining in as well and some people started to laugh at Bran whose words finally turned against him.

-ahh, Flynn against your brethren … how could you?

To that Flynn just showed him a big grin. Still this situation stopped Bran vs Kei fight and also repaired Kei’s humor after losing a fight.

In the meantime Hikari’s obsession with ‘watching the tree’ finally got to the point where Rin decided to ask.

-why do you think his aura is more beautifully than others?
-hmm… I already said that I can’t explain it well, still if I had to point out then as I said its color.
-color? And what color those auras has?
-it’s differ from person to person but usually they have the same color as one’s eyes. There are exceptions to that rule but it’s usually like this.
-then does that mean mine is blue?
-no you are one of few exception as yours is bright fierce red.
-then what color does that guy has?
-hmm, it’s not a simple color that’s why it’s beautiful. I know! Because I can’t say what color it is I will simply name it. I think that ‘color of magic’ will be a fitting name. It is actually similar to what I thought magic would look like if it had a physical form…

“Color of magic?”

-well his aura is slightly different than my imagination, it’s still has the foundations of his previous blue aura but then again it is very beautiful. I don’t understand what made this change but I am happy that I can see it.
-your explanation is not very helpful.
-I would want to show it to you but I don’t think that I will be able to reproduce this color and give it justice easily I already know I will try to do that later on though. Hmm for now… I don’t know, the best thing you can do is try looking him in the eyes. His aura changed so maybe his eyes changed as well. Still, that is just hopeful thinking as something like this does not happen.

-the winner Shin!

In the meantime it looked like another fight was held and it ended already in seconds and Rin didn’t even notice what happened.

“Hmm? How did I miss it, just a second ago it was card choosing?”

Despite talking with Hikari, Rin was paying attention to what was happening with the tournament. She might have missed few points but she would not miss the whole fight. Still, second later everything was explained.

=hahahaha.

About half of people in the group were laughing.

-we have been waiting for this one!
-hahaha, I will never get tired of troll cards.
-hahaha.
-it happens Kuma, we all went through it once…

There were also few people that felt sorry for the person that draw ‘YOU LOSE CARD’ just now but the number of people laughing was greater than those who tried to cheer him up. It was possible that the people who weren’t laughing also once experienced this fate at least once. There were many unfair cards in ‘luck by draw tournament’ that favored one side greatly but there was nothing more unfair than simply drawing ‘troll card’. Still it seemed that this card served its purpose as people really couldn’t stop laughing.

-guys! Guys! We still have one more fight to go!…

Musashi tried to calm down the crowd and with some success at that as soon the laughter stopped.

-ah right. After our ace it’s finally time to see Hiro gets obliterated.

Bran commented right away.

-ah, it’s been nice knowing him.

Konan added.

-wait, wait, maybe he will get some good card. With good card Hiro may be able to pull that off.

Vivi commented.

-and what card would be that Vivi? The troll card is not there anymore.

Flynn disagreed.

-I don’t know. Maybe… hmm… no I can’t think of anything.
-what if it were a team fight and Hiro managed to get Shin?

Vatras came up with proposition.

-aye, maybe then it would be possible.
-no it’s not possible. The other team card is 6v6 and it has additional rule that states that if that card is draw at the later stage of tournament the people who already lose have to be chosen before those who are still in a game. Right now there are 13 people who already lost so there is plenty to choose from.

Shin quickly explained in case that the team card would be draw.

-Shin, that’s cheating!

Vatras said to him.

-those are the rules that were made before anything started, so I didn’t cheat. Also I see no reason why someone would chose me. Also I don’t want to share the obvious defeat.

It is true that Shin couldn’t foresee this situation to this extend. Also even if he was not to participate in a team battle if that card came, he would still have to face Rin in next round.

“It’s my turn, although I don’t expect anything interesting to happen.”

Rin stood up from the bench and started walking towards where everyone was. As to why she didn’t expect anything interesting to happen, it was simple. She already fought against her next opponent twice. Although saying fought may have been a little bit too much. She simply happened to kill him twice and in both of those times she didn’t feel any resistance from him. What was worse, he was a mage and Rin despised all mages in this game. Sure Rin did despised all players in general but mages in particular even though there weren’t that much of them were the ones that she despite the most. One reason for that was simply because she considered them all weak. Not in general strength but as a person. People who fought in melee were doing it with their bodies and while they fought, they were really learning something. In comparison, mages were simply casting their spells from afar and usually when their opponent got closed they would panic and die quickly soon after. For Rin, people who weren’t reeling on their skills at all were all trashes with the exception of her friend Yume of course. Still even in this case Rin was well aware of her friend’s little ability in fighting up close.

While Rin was walking she saw as her opponent was also already coming. Although it was a little strange as he was walking while being led by his sister while he himself kept his eyes closed.

-hey Hiro, what’s this? You are already closing your eyes as you are afraid of looking how you are killed?

Bran right away had to comment on that.

-am I?

And Hiro gave him calm response in puzzled voice which actually managed to silence the dwarf right away.

-brother, we are in the right place.
-okay. Thanks Mika.

Rin also arrived at the place soon after.

“What’s with him? Well it doesn’t matter to me.”

-Hiro is everything okay?

Musashi ended up asking.

-it’s more than okay but if you could start the fight already.

It seemed like apart from having his eyes closed, everything was in norm.

-wait a second, there is still a card to draw left. Rin could you draw the card please, it’s your turn.

Rin nodded and walked towards the box. Then she took the first card from the top. She first read the first sentence as it was written in red letters but because it didn’t change anything she read them once again.

-warning, if this card is draw at the first fight of the first round put this card back and draw something else…-
-Shin what is with that card?

Musashi ended up asking as a strange card appeared.

-nothing, it’s just it wouldn’t work if it were to be draw first but it wasn’t draw first so there is no problem.
-scenario…

Rin continued reading.

-you yourself know what training you need the most, chose one from the previous cards that were draw as your fighting condition then continue with rules from that card. Note: because some cards are unfair to some people both players must agree to the chosen card. First the player, who draw the card propose the condition. Then the other player can either accept or decline and chose another card that weren’t brought up yet. If there is only one card left after that process to choose from that card is the condition. Some cards depends on who drew the card, in that case the person who is choosing the condition is like the person who draw the card
-I think there is no additional explanation needed as this card had a lot of text so Rin. What condition will you first chose first?

Musashi asked.

“Hmm, with a good card I might make it little interesting for me. Let’s see, ah there was one that gave one player big advantage, it was even his.”

-I propose the card in which I get mana drained.

Rin chose the most unfair condition for herself.

-you are sure that…-
-denied!

Hiro interrupted when Musashi wanted to ask if Rin just lost her mind.

-is there any other card that you would want? I will agree to whatever you want although I don’t think that there is anything more advantageous to you than this.
-you said it…

Hiro right away answered Rin’s offer.

“I don’t think there is a single condition which gives me bigger disadvantage that the one I chose but let’s see what he wants. Playing under the condition that he feels comfortable might be more interesting.”

-the condition I want is the one that Shin and Bran had in their battle in first round.
-you mean?

Musashi asked.

-all-out battle, no tricks, no rules!
-ahhhhhh…

Rin actually ended up yawing out loud.

-it will be so boring. But fine if that’s what you want then sure.

Rin was already disappointed but she already said that she will agree so she didn’t want to change her mind now.

-we will see if it will be boring for you. I was always dreaming of this moment and I dream still.

“Dreaming?”

-in those dreams, do you see yourself winning?

Because of unusual use words Rin decided to ask.

-no.

Hiro response was rather unexpected.

-then rather than dreaming you should have said that you have nightmares about it.
-hmh…

Hiro smirked to her response.

-I would never call them nightmares but anyway right now it’s finally time for me to wake up.

And with that Hiro finally opened his eyes.

-ah… .

But the eyes that could be seen right now, were not the same eyes he had before. Before they were simply dark blue and there was nothing unusual about them. This time however the color that they had could not be described easily. It was a mix of blue, purple, azure, black, green and few other colors that Rin could not name. Also that color was not consistent it was changing with every second as if those eyes were displaying some animation in it. The colors were circling and plotting with each other. And that was still not all to unusualness. Those eyes also emanated a small light that seemed to come out from the eyes in the same color as of the eyes.

-hey Hiro!?

Musashi who was the second close to them asked the question without use of words, as it was obvious what he wanted to ask about.

-start the fight already Musashi, I can’t keep it up for too long.

Hiro quickly answered to him.

-well I don’t know what this is about but if that is your response then. Ready! Set! Go!

With those words Musashi quickly moved away too ‘much more distance’ than usual.

Hiro without delay started.

In both of his hands water appeared and they started to spin in incredible speed. From afar they looked like a small spinning balls. Although, normal balls couldn’t spin in many different directions at the same time. Then he swung both of his hands backward and was a second apart from pushing those water spinning balls forward but then he suddenly stopped.

-what is it?

He asked as so far Rin didn’t make a single move since the fight started. She just stood there looking at him. Still, when he asked Rin right away answered.

-after finally seeing it I would also like to look at this beautiful color for a little bit longer.
-hey! Our fight just started, you can look at whatever you want when we finish.

Actually making a surprise attack would be the best move Hiro could make but his pride would not allow him to do so.

-but it will not be possible to do it afterwards.
-what are you talking about! What is that beautiful color? No, forget that, there is not time for chatter! I am attacking you so don’t say afterwards that you weren’t prepared!
-I am always prepared although if you stay like this for a little longer I might even consider giving you this win.

After hearing those words, Hiro waited no longer.

They were staying about four meters away from each other. Hiro finally pushed both of his hands forward and the spinning water balls flied off in Rin’s direction although.

“They won’t hit me.”

Rin could see that both of them would simply pass her on left and right side without actually touching her.

“This attack probably assumed that the target would try to dodge but I can see it clearly, it won’t hit me. Anyway it’s a little shame because as did that girl said, it is a nice color but I am going to finish it fast. I have to make revenge for Mary as well.”

The water balls were about to pass her so Rin unsheathed her swords and was about to run forward at her enemy to kill him in one hit, namely cutting his head off. But then the water balls which as she predicted didn’t hit her exploded the moment they were going to pass by Rin. The only effect of that explosion was Rin’s red cloak getting little wet as there was little force behind that explosion. Still that made Rin stop her advance to check the sides if nothing else happened.

It was a quick check but while doing so Hiro managed to lunch another water spinning ball forward. This time it was much larger one than previous two. Also its speed could not be compared to previous ones as it moved twice as fast.

Rin still had a feeling that she shouldn’t move left or right because of previous attack so she actually jumped up over the incoming water ball in direction of her enemy, so when she lands she can without delay continue with her plan. Her jump was incredibly high as it was two meters up from the ground. The spinning water ball was up to 1,5 meters so this was the distance that Rin judged safe. Jumping up two meters in height was not something that people could do but Rin did not use her skill leap for it. Right now with her avatar body she was capable of doing so without need for skill.

While she was jumping over that ball, she saw that Hiro was preparing another spell. He once again had water spinning in his hands although this time it was slightly different. But there was not much time for observing as right away Hiro lifter his hands in her direction and then he said.

“What’s this?”

-spell seven, water laser.

Rin did not understand why he said something out loudly and she didn’t have time to ponder on that. Instantly a beam of water in high pressure came at her. Its epicentrum was Hiro’s hands. It came out at the high speed and high pressure probably enough to destroy few building much less send Rin flying to the sky by about 50 meters up.

“I see so the previous attacks were preparation for this. Not bad, it’s already second person today that had forced me to use a game skill.”

[Hurricane]

Rin started spinning in the air with her skill. This time, she had to use a skill as she still had no idea how she could imitate spinning while being in the air. Rin did manage to imitate all of her skills to some extend but some of their usages were simply impossible.

The beam of water crushed with the red tornado. Despite its great attacking power in that confrontation the water beam was cut in half upon contact and changed into many water beams that went to the left and to the right side. Also while the beam that Hiro was making was a ‘single direction attack’ upon crushing with Rin’s skill it spread all over the place.

Even though the water bounced off the tornado it didn’t lose its power and when it went into the trees branches, the tree branches were getting destroyed.

Luckily for the trees that confrontation didn’t last long and soon Rin landed on the ground. The water beam did not follow her as it looked like Hiro could not change its direction. That’s why he simply canceled it.

“Now then, I think it should be enough to make him happy.”

Without delaying Rin once again moved forward to her enemy. She actually had to make just two steps to catch to him. To her surprise her opponent unsheathed two red swords exact same that she had and prepared to take her head on.

“Is he crazy?”

Rin could only think of it as that. Sure she did saw him earlier, displaying some skill with them but compared to her, his ability to fight with two swords was as large as if she were to compare herself with her master.

-spell five, copy.

Hiro once again spoke similar words like he did before, this time it was his body that got surrounded by ‘color of magic’. Well it got slightly surrounded. A small lines in that color started plotting all around his body.

Rin went in for the kill but then.

First slash, Hiro parried, second slash, Hiro parried, third slash, Hiro parried, forth slash, Hiro parried.

“Not bad.”

Those were Rin’s first thoughts as Hiro’s movements weren’t clumsy as before, they also weren’t luckily. His defense was steady and his movements had a depth in them.

“Time to go to higher level.”

Rin started to accelerate with her attacks she also stopped making them obvious. Still to her surprise, Hiro kept on defending really well, he also made few attempts on attacking her.

“Hmm, it’s strange, he is way better than I imagine, why didn’t he fight like this before? Still, whatever the reason may be, right not it doesn’t matter. It’s fun fighting him.”

A simile appeared on Rin’s face as she kept on fighting with Hiro. For her there was nothing more entertaining than fighting against someone who would manage to keep up with her. Also this time, it was not only that. While fighting she could also observe the strange color of Hiro’s eyes from close up. Right now, that color went little crazy as it was spinning and plotting way faster than before. It was still beautiful though. Still, in comparison to Rin’s smiling face, Hiro was not smiling. His face looked rather serious as if a million thoughts were running across his mind.

After three minutes of this endless confrontation Rin started to forget herself as she completely immersed herself in battle. Her body was now moving at the astounding speed that she did not reach too often. It might even be that she was never in as good form as right now. What was surprisingly though was that Hiro still managed to keep on in his defense, and with exact same speed which increased at exact same pace he kept on fighting. Still there was a huge difference. While Rin was enjoying herself to the fullest and it seemed as if she could and would want to continue this fight for a really long time, Hiro was full in sweat and heavily breathing. The fact that he kept on moving at the same peace as Rin in his current state was really surprising to her but because she was enjoying herself way too much she was not really concern about it.

They continued like this for another minute and then it seemed like Hiro had finally enough. The clash from the right side was about to hit him and his sword would not manage to get there in time but in a moment he was about to get hit, his body disappeared in the flash and appeared about four meters away from his previous position. After appearing all strings that he had around his body disappeared and there he quickly dropped to the ground.

-hm?

Only after her opponent made such dramatic retreat, Rin returned to the reality. And calmly analyzed what happened.

“Wow, even Arata would get overwhelmed at that point.”

Rin had to compare this fight with the only other person that managed to keep up with her in clean combat. But still, in two fights they had, Arata was overwhelmed the moment Rin accelerated to a certain speed. This time however, Rin went beyond that and still Hiro still managed to ‘entertain’ her.

“I don’t know how did he learnt that but I want to continue the fight!”

She didn’t question anything, she simply wanted to continue. Still her opponent didn’t exactly looked like he would be able to grant her, her wish.

“I guess it won’t happen though.”

Seeing him lying on the ground without much movement would only indicate that, although Hiro’s face didn’t look like it was about to give up. Hiro was looking at Rin as to confirm if she is not advancing yet. He was holding his hand forward and then he suddenly lifted it up from the ground. In that place a being of water appeared and it started to get bigger and bigger till it reached the height of three meters. Then when it’s finally reached its final form of water elemental, the elemental sucked up Hiro to its inside.

“Why is he trying so hard? If he can’t fight anymore he should simply give up.”

To most people facing the water elemental of this size would be much scarier than facing a simple man. To Rin however facing that simple man so far was entertaining. His current act however she seemed as an act of desperation.

The water elemental threw a punch which changed into a water bolt that filed in Rin’s direction. This bolt was a simple bolt without spinning. Rin easily dodged it to the right and started running towards her enemy. There was another attack like that on the way but it wasn’t even close to hitting her.

Rin closed the distance quite quickly and she already started attacking the body of elemental who despite its big size wasn’t that powerful. The only way in which he could attack was with his big and slow water punches that would never hit Rin in a millennium. Dodging them was somewhat similar to dodging the attacks of iron golems that Rin often fought in order to regain her lost levels, and while he fought against them there was even 10 or 20 of them at the same time, now while fighting one similar to it creature even if slightly bigger it wasn’t much. Still the problem was that upon attacking the water body Rin’s swords just simply went through it with little resistance and when she finished the slash, the damage she made was not visible.

“Is it completely resistant to physical attacks? Probably not but I don’t really feel like looking for a way to go around that.”

Rin jumped up and dogged another of elemental punches. She jumped to the level on which Hiro was floating inside his elemental.

[Pierce shot]

Rin threw her red blade forward. While doing so it’s flashed in red color which increased its speed and power greatly. Elemental’s body did not slow it down at all although it managed to change its course a little. Rin planned to hit Hiro right in the middle but the blade ended up hitting his right arm. Upon a hit Hiro ended up being pushed out from the elemental and he hit the tree that was behind him at that moment, after that he feel down to the ground with sword still sticking heavily in his arm. It was actually piercing it and was coming out at the other end.

The elemental was not left alone but it still didn’t stop functioning, at least not yet. He continued to attack Rin with its useless attacks. Rin was now left with only one sword. She could of course summon a new one in instant but she didn’t feel the need of it. She also didn’t feel like it would help her much right now.

“Hmm, I used the skill that I didn’t use since so long. I might as well use that one as well.”

[Swordspikes]

Rin threw her weapon into the ground and second later numberous of swords came out from the ground where water elemental stood and it completely cut it body in every possible way. Sword spikes stayed there for few second which didn’t allow the elemental to regenerate it’s form which made the elemental turn into simple water and disappear.

“I don’t actually remember when I used this skill last time.”

While Rin was pondering on that, out of sudden a spike of water came in her direction. It was in small size but its speed was the fastest of all so far which actually caught Rin off guard especially when she was sure that her opponent shouldn’t stand up anymore.

[Lighting speed activated.]

She had to resort to using this skill. First she made a two steps backward and then spinned on right foot to avoid that attack. After that, numberous other similar attacks came her way. And there were a lot of them. They were coming out from large blue circle rune that was around Hiro’s hand, who was now standing back on his feet. His right arm however didn’t move anymore and it seemed like he won’t be able to use it anymore.

“He made me use even this. This is the first time that I had to use this many skills in a single battle against single opponent.”

While reflecting on that, Rin was dodging incoming attacks and was once again running to where Hiro was. With her speed on skill she reached him in seconds without any problem of dodging incoming water spikes.

Rin went around the water circle to Hiro’s back and from there she slashed at Hiro’s neck.

-spell one, I will not die!

Hiro managed to say those words in the end but it was too late as Rin’s sword went clearly through his neck with its full length.

-it was fun.

Rin said those words to her dead opponent, but she did not expect her opponent to hear that. But it was not over and Rin was showing Hiro her back after her last attack which she made with spin to be sure to cut off his head. Right now she did not see that his head was actually still in the place as the head connected itself back to the body in a similar way to how it happened with the elemental. She did not see nor did she know that in moment of her strike, his body became water itself.

Hiro still living pushed his right arm to the back with Rin’s red sword still piercing through it. In a way, he had a blade coming out from his skin, and with that blade he attacked Rin who simply thought that his body was falling to the ground. She made one step forward so it doesn’t fall on her but Hiro pushed backward with his legs and ended up falling into her. The blade was first to make contact and it entered the left side of Rin’s back.

-auaaaaaa!…

Rin suddenly felt a piercing pain that came from her back up and screamed out loudly. Truth to be told, even though it was EOA and people took hits like that every day, Rin was not really used to that pain. The reason for that was because she didn’t take hits too often or rather there were only few people or creatures that could actually hurt her. In the last year those were. Skeleton the champion. Skeleton, Victoria. From time to time a simple skeleton when she was exhausted from a long fight. Apart from that, nothing hurt Rin in a long time. As for the girly scream just now, she wouldn’t normally scream like that as usually she would expect the pain that would come at her and would be prepared for that but the second ago she was completely sure of her safeness.

After feeling an unexpected pain and screaming out Rin sprinted forward with maximum speed on lighting speed and hid behind the tree that was about six meters away from where she stood.

In the meantime Hiro’s dead body which should be dead was once again standing. Well, it was simply Hiro standing with the lasts of his HP.

Rin looked from behind the tree only with only her head visible. She was also checking if her wound was any serious but it wasn’t anything that would be considered serious in this world at least. Still, while she touched the wound directly she once again.

-aua.

Could not stop herself from making a sound.

-what is it, you are crying?

All of sudden Hiro who was standing there barely alive asked with slightly different voice than usual. He was more relaxed than before the fight.

-who is crying!…

Rin ended up shouting back right away although previously some tears did appear in her eyes without her control.

-anyway, when do you intend to finally die, I already cut your head off.

Although her previous attack didn’t seem like it worked, it was not like her attack didn’t do anything. There was still a mark on Hiro’s neck where Rin’s blade went through.

-when? Hmm, in three minutes I think.

Hiro answered as it was the most trivial thing, although in a way it was trivial.

-three minutes make no difference, go die already!

Rin who was still hiding behind the tree shouted to him.

-no I can’t do that, there are still two events from my dream that did not come true. As impossible as they are I wanted them to happen. I know one is definitely out of my reach so I tried to reach the other one at least. But despite my effort, I am still too weak for it.
-you are not weak, you are the first player that I meat that managed to hurt me.

That was true as so far even if Rin did end up getting kicked, stabbed, burned, killed or vaporized it was never because of another player.

-but I am not strong, not strong enough to see you on a gold background, not strong enough to make the Queen fight against me seriously…

After hearing those words Rin stopped hiding behind the tree and walked out to the open.

[Unlimited blade, stage three, golden gate.]

The gold cloud started forming behind Rin. The cloud spread out three meters to each side and then from it the red edges of weapons started to be visible. It was all kinds of weapons, swords, spikes, axes even arrows. Even though the skill was called gate it was as Hiro said a golden background behind Rin.

-what is it? A form of pity?

This time it Hiro was irritated as for him it was rather a disgrace to see this skill only because he asked.

-no it’s not. I am not doing it for you. I use this spell in two cases. One of those cases is when I can’t deal with something without it. Those are really rare though.
-it’s definitely not now so what is the other case?
-the title Queen is something that I hate and it was given to me because of this skill. That’s why whoever calls me that will die a painful death with the use of the skill that made him call me that.

In this moment Rin entered her queen of blades mode that would make anyone shiver but then.

-you are wrong.

Hiro quickly cut her and her mode disappeared.

-where do you think I am wrong?
-you are wrong about the origin of that title. It was given to you not because of this skill but because of who you are and how you fight. Queen of Arena, Queen of Blades, both those titles appeared when you didn’t even had that skill.
-and how you can know when I got it?
-I asked Yume.
-… .

That really explained how he could know.

-I don’t know why you don’t like being called that but…-
-it’s because its sounds like someone is talking about some old lady!
-ha?…

Rin quickly cut into Hiro’s talk who was left speechless for a second.

-emm… that’s it?
-do I need any other reason? If so, other would be that it sounds as if I am married to some fat old man who all he is doing is sitting on his throne and drink wine!
-haha, wait really? hahahahaha.

Hiro ended up laughing at her response.

-what!
-nothing but…-
-but what? Every time I am called Queen I somehow got a horrible imaged of being that old lady who is married to that fat king! If this is not an insult then I don’t know what else could be an insult!

Rin was now speaking it angry but not in her queen of blades mode. Although, the golden gate was still ready to fire any second.

-I see, in that case I really deserve to be killed.
-you do and you will be!
-although, you can’t kill me now.
-even if you decide to give up I will kill you regardless.
-it’s too late as you already killed me…

With those words Hiro’s eyes started losing its unique color.

-there was still so much that I wanted to show you and so much I wanted to tell but it will have to wait for our another fight, but until then… I just want you to know that I never meant to hurt you.

After struggling to say out those words, Hiro’s body completely lost its strength and fell to the ground, and this time it was really Hiro’s body and not Hiro himself.

“…”

Rin canceled her ability and the golden mist behind her disappeared. After that she walked towards the body of her dead opponent and looked at it.

-if you don’t believe that you can win you will never win, idiot.

She said to him even though she knew that no one would hear those words. Well maybe except that one person but apart from him there was no one that was in hearing range. During their fight Rin and Hiro move away from their starting position and not only that. Through the fight, everyone was staying in a greater distance than usual as it was simply dangerous to get close. Then just now Rin activated her unlimited blade skill and the moment that the golden mist appeared, everyone actually moved as far as they could as most of them had bad experience with it.

Everyone moved away, that was what Rin thought at least but then someone come out from behind the tree.

-I will tell him what you said.

It was a girl with hair in exact same color as Hiro. After she said that she quickly casted a healing spell on Rin. Rin was covered in a blue light and her wound disappeared. It was really refreshing feeling.

-you should rather tend to him first.

Rin said to her.

-umm, did my brother did something bad to you again?

The girl asked then she started healing her brother. Despite what Yume said earlier about her not talking to someone for 10 days after meeting.

-again? There was no time that he did anything bad.
-I see that’s good but in that case… why are you crying Rin?
-eh…?

Rin touched her cheeks and only now did she realize that the tears started to pour from her eyes. She really did not feel them earlier nor did she have a particular reason to cry right now. Rin did not feel like crying right now, rather she just finished her fight which was probably one of most enjoyable fight against other player she had in this game so far. The part where her opponent managed to full keep up with her was something she did not experience from another player in this world. It also seemed like her opponent wanted to fight with her again in the future so she would be able to experience this fight once again. Right now, Rin should be happy, but yet she could not stop crying.

-I see. It’s probably from my spell. I am clumsy and sometimes I mess up which makes people who receive my healing wet. Umm… here is a towel. I always have one prepared in case it happens.

The girl stopped healing her brother who seemed like he was once again alive and held out the towel towards Rin and in this moment Rin understood why her body decided to cry. It was not the first time it happen and Rin herself could not control it. Anytime it happened it was always related to a single thing, and that was memories of the real world. The world that was no longer available to her and since long time already, she lost the hope that she will ever be able to go back to that world again. Rin already closed away in her mind most of her memories about that world as remembering them only made her sad but memories was not something that you can simply close off. You can’t forget about something just because you want to. All you can do is to not think about it and whenever those thoughts come back you had to push them away once again. But sometimes it was simply impossible to push them away.

Next Chapter: Chapter 35 “Chase.”