I walked into the anarchy guild hall to attend the meeting. There was a very important meeting that the guild leader wanted everyone to attend. Well, I say it's a guild hall, but only one guild hall is allowed per kingdom, so other guilds have to find open spots and gather there, or buy a property and meet there. The guild leader managed to buy an abandoned church in the slums of the lower reach, and we're using it as a guild hall.
I stood at the back of the church leaned against a wall. I try to keep a low profile in the guild ever since my screwup with obtaining Potenshia. Almost all of my respect was lost instantly because of that weirdo Bloodfallen. Honestly, who does he think he is? If I never see another Bloodfallen again, it'll be too soon.
"Ohhhh! What do you think Meros wants with us?" a man that just entered the church asked.
"There's rumors that the guild leader of Diligence is going to the Scorching Sands, so we're probably preparing for the expedition quest-" I immediately stopped explaining mid sentence once I looked at the person next to me.
He had brown skin and short hair that was well cut. We wore a trench coat with a black shirt underneath, close-fitted black pants, and fingerless gloves. But none of those features bothered me. What bothered me the most, were those damn piercing red eyes! They're the same ones as the man that ruined it all for me. I began to avoid eye-contact with him, but he wanted to continue to chat with me.
"Mind if I ask you a question?"
"You just did." I cut his inquiry down.
"Mind if I ask another one?"
"You just did again."
"Mind if I ask four?"
I sighed and prompted him to go ahead.
"Why did you join Anarchy?"
Why? It's because I tried everything with my Art and couldn't get anywhere. It's because I spent thousands of dollars in classes and equipment and haven't even made a quarter of it back. It's because the world failed me. But I'll keep it nice and succinct for the man.
"Same reason as everyone else here: I want to do whatever I can't do in the real world here. I want to do whatever I want, when I want."
"Nahhh. I don't think that's it. The average Anarchy member just wants to kill, loot, and rob whoever they please. But you..." The Bloodfallen used his eyes to give me a knowing glare as he said "You look like you want to see the world burn."
I couldn't avoid gazing right back at him. He was right on the money. At this point, only vindictiveness is driving me and since I can't take it out on anyone IRL without getting arrested, I'll do everything I want in this game and get paid to do it.
"And what about it?" I told him.
"Nothing! Just be honest about it! I'm the exact same way! By the way, the name's Gash!" Gash extended his hand to me and I shook it. "The name's Polk."
This guy is a certified weirdo, but he's one of the only people I have found common ground with recently.
Before he could talk to me any more, the guild leader walked onto the stage. No matter who you were in the guild, you could easily tell who the leader was by three descriptors: His blank, soulless expression, his towering height, and his larger than life blood red greatsword.
Weight was in each of his steps as he took to the center of the stage. Everyone immediately silenced themselves upon hearing him. Once he stood behind the podium, he began with an announcement.
"We're taking the Scorching Sands for ourselves." He pumped his fist in the air and everyone in the church roared in excitement. The upper reach could probably hear us with how much noise everyone was making. As the guild cheered, he waited until everyone went silent again before continuing.
"To do so is going to take some preparation. Luckily, The guild has acquired a red item. It's called Morphea and it allows the user and anyone on their party to morph not only their own appearance, but also statuses. For example, one could change their name and even their guild tag. We will use this item to infiltrate the guild that is partnered with Diligence. A select two people will act as if they are truly interested in the guild and rise above its social ladder to be picked for the expedition quest. Once that is done, they'll go with that guild until the last moment where they'll claim the frontier for our guild."
That red item is insane! It seems like a lot of work for this mission though. I don't know if I would want to do it.
"Here's how it's going to work: The first of the two has already been chosen. Owner of the red item Morphea, a man that I think has the potential to rule this guild in the event that I die, Gash!"
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!?!
"That's my cue!" Gash steps away from me and into the limelight as I wore a shocked expression.
If he was the first member of the operations, then that means he knew what the gathering was about in the first place! Did he just ask to mess with me?!
As he faced everyone in the crowd and stood in a relaxed, nonchalant pose, Meros went on with the meeting.
"Gash here will be leading the operation from this moment on. At this time, he will choose the second member of this mission." Meros stated.
"I already know who I'm going to pick!" Gash leapt off of the porch, walked past most of the crowd anticipating his answer, and stopped in front of me.
"You!" He playfully pointed at me and gave a smile.
Everyone around us immediately started to protest Gash's decision. They mentioned all of my shortcomings since joining the guild. Especially my failure in acquiring Potenshia. As the complaints got louder and louder, and everyone started to move in on us, Meros interrupted everyone with a thundering roar.
"SHUT THE HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELL UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!"
The members of Anarchy ceased their complaints and backed away from us.
"YOU WEAKLINGS DARE MAKE LIGHT OF MY DECISION?! YOU WILL RESPECT MY CHOICE! HIS VERDICT FOR THE SECOND MEMBER IS MINE!"
The church remained silent. So silent, you could hear a pin drop. You could tell that the people of Anarchy respect Meros. Whether that respect was out of fear or admiration, I couldn't tell. And I was one of the first fifty members.
"If you all want a reason, it's simple. It's because you guys aren't like him. He truly hates the world and wants to see it burn. You guys just want the freedom to do things and have no consequences while doing it! But he holds hatred that wants to see the suffering of others! That's why I need him on my side for this! So please tell me, Polk. Will you join me on in this operation?" Gash reached out for a handshake.
"Fine..."
Gash is right. After seeing people half my age become worlds more successful than me, losing contest after contest, after putting so much work in to receive so little, I'm ready to take my anger out on this world.
That was...until I met you again...
===
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! AS EXPECTED OF MY BEST FRIEND! NOW THINGS ARE STARTING TO HEAT UP!"
I stood frozen in place as both Matthew and Gash locked blades. I wanted to move and help, but who should I help? Ever since the Deposit, I wanted to forget about causing chaos, I wanted to just finish this job and change as a person! But Matthew managed to find us out before we could finish the operation! It's all screwed now! We couldn't slow them down and we were caught before we could claim the frontier!
"Everyone that isn't working with the enemy, get to leaving!" Matthew shouted.
"I-I want to help! I'm your healer!" Violet stated but was cut off by Matthew.
"NO! THEY HAVE AN ABILITY THAT MAKES THEM THREE TIMES STRONGER! YOU'LL DIE IF YOU FIGHT HERE, SO LEAVE!"
"Y-you better not die here! It wouldn't be that valuable if you died here, got it?!" Violet yelled as she ran back to the carriage.
"I won't!"
"I respect you heavily for this, Matthew! When Lightspeed takes this frontier, we'll host a banquet in your honor!" Hermes said as he started the carriage.
"Oh no you don't! Deathly-"
"Lunge!"
In almost an instant the two took off like jets and left nothing but waves of sands rushing throughout the area. Matthew used deathly lunge as soon as Gash did to cut him off mid air. As he did a wide swing, Gash dodged it and kept going. But before he could get out of Matthew's range, Matthew let go of his axe and grabbed Gash by the leg. He then slammed him to the floor with all of his might. All of this was enough to get Violet on the carriage and the rest of the party out of the fight.
"kehehehehhehehe! How are you gonna win this fight, pal? It's two-to-one! I know you're most known for your little fight with our guild, but the odds aren't really in your favor this time around!"
"Polk!" Matthew yelled.
I jumped at Matthew's assertion. What could he possibly want with a traitor like me?
That's when the Marauder of White extended his hand to me "I need you for this!"
Huh?
"You want to change, don't you? I'll forget anything that you've schemed prior to this and vouch for you! I'll even let you join Diligence! You can start over!"
I can't believe it...Matthew is giving me a chance! Even after claimed he lucked into his position. Even when I tried killing him, even after finding out that we're working with an enemy, he's still giving me this chance.
"Awwww man! Why don't I get the Matthew pardon as well!" As Gash said that, he let go of one of his swords, grasped the hand that slammed him to the floor, and used his other hand to try to cut Matthew's arm off. In retaliation, Matthew kicked Gash's gut and sent him flying. As he flew at inhuman speeds, he unequipped and reequipped his swords and placed both of them in the sand to halt his motion.
"It's because you're the exact opposite of me. You...there was a point in which you wanted to die too. I can tell. But we reached a different conclusion when we had that realization. I would work till I die to improve society as much as possible before I die. I would want to push society forward. You would have it so that society crumbles to nothingness. Not only is there a physical conflict between us. Our ideals-what makes us who we are- conflict as well! So I'll tell you one more time, Polk! Help me beat Gash!" Matthew pointed his weapon at Gash.
"Matthew...I-"
"Polk...I can't believe you. You actually bought into his delusions. We both know what the real world is like. It's a cruel place where there are winners and losers and we were destined to be losers from the beginning."
I...want to change so bad...I want to give drawing another go, but every time I think about the process, I think about the rejections, the judging faces, the lost time and money...I begin to get anxious.
"I'm sorry Matthew...I'm so sorry..." I held myself as tears began to stream down my face. "I'm just so damn scared. So damn scared of failure I can't take it."
"Damn that's too bad...looks like there's no changing outcasts like us, Matthew. There's only one choice left now. COMMIT TO THIS FIGHT OR GET CUT DOWN HERE!"
The three of us readied our weapons and began our battle. There was only one objective at this point: Defeat Matthew and try our best to get to the rendezvous point!