I rose from the bed of the inn connected to light speed's guild hall and saw a DM from Aegis at the top right.
[There's no way you're wearing your armor to the party. I left you a suit at the front desk. It's somewhat your style. Also you owe me for it.]
I went to the front desk and the receptionist gave me a box that contained a suit that had nothing but white except for the buttoned shirt and shoes which were both black. Not bad. He got the basic color scheme down for Potenshia.
As I equipped the suit I wondered: what do people even do at parties? I know they dance, but how long? And is there any time to just chat with people. These were all questions I had that shrouded my mind and made me nervous. I couldn't believe that in the first time in my life, I was getting nervous.
Regardless I have to do this...
FOR LUCIA!
I stepped out of our guild hall and walked over to lightspeed's guild hall. As I stepped through the door I looked around and noticed a large ballroom that many were standing around chatting in. it had a large Chandelier at the center and various waiters and waitresses moved around tending to everyone's needs. There was even a small band in the corner playing classical music.
As the doors closed behind me, everyone turned to look my way. As their eyes concentrated onto me, I began to sweat. Was that even possible in this game? I feel like I'm sweating bullets!
"There goes our hero! Everyone, this is Matthew. He helped flush out the fakes and save the expedition. We wouldn't be here without him. Three cheers for the marauder of white!" Hermes raised his glass and everyone followed, cheering me on.
I nervously laughed it off and waved at everyone. I don't think I've ever gotten attention like this. I think it bothers me.
Soon I saw both Hermes and a lady walking towards me. The woman looked stern and proper. She also walked with the grace of a noblewoman. Hermes on the other hand, wore his same carefree expression.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Matthew. My name is Seph. I'd like to personally thank you for taking care of my idiot childhood friend here." She pointed to Hermes.
"IDIOT childhood friend?! What did I do to deserve that title?!" Hermes looked shocked.
"It was when you decided to take a couple of strangers on such an important mission instead of someone you've known all of your life!" she started to wring out Hermes' ear.
"It wasn't anything serious. I just did what I needed to do for my guild." I said.
"No, it was VERY serious. At any point, he could've lost his life, the expedition, or both. As the vice leader of lightspeed, I would like to say you are a valued person in the eyes of the guild." she bowed in a very courteous and lady-like manner.
This girl seems like such a reliable person. I wonder what made Hermes think that Gash and Polk were more valuable.
As the two were leaving to talk to more people at the party, Hermes gave me a wink and whispered "I gotcha back, buddy."
As I wondered what exactly he was talking about, I decided to just dismiss it and continue wandering through the ballroom looking for Lucia.
As I looked around, I noticed Aegis and Roxline chatting with each other. Aegis and I made eye contact, and he just gave me a warm smile and continued chatting with Roxline. Usually him doing something like thag would give me the creeps, but for some reason it gives me a sense of contentment.
I wandered some more and noticed Violet chatting with... Elizabeth Gornwell?!
"Hey!" I waved over to the two as I approached them.
The two were both wearing beautiful dresses. Violet was wearing a purple dress and Elizabeth was wearing a yellow one.
"Matthew! We were just talking about you! I've been asking your friend here about you, but it doesn't look like she's one to talk-"
"I-I'm trying my best!"
"Oh!" Elizabeth was taken aback by Violet's outburst.
"Ever since I started playing this game, I tried to escape and live my life differently here. But why not use it as practice for real life? There's so many amazing people here and I wanna be just like them! I wanna be battle-ready like Matthew. I wanna be smart like Aegis. I wanna be confident like Lucia! Is... that too much to ask?" Violet put her head down.
I can't believe it. I was certain that she was trying to be more confident this entire time, but she just flat out said it! She's working hard to better herself. Honestly, she's already getting there. Anyone that can keep out with me deserves a gold medal.
I put my hand on her head and patted it.
"Of course it isn't. You're doing great." I gave her a smile as we exchanged looks.
"Game? Real life?" Elizabeth tilted her head in confusion.
Violet quickly stumbled over her words correcting herself. As she did so another person entered the conversation teasing her.
"So you think this is all a game, Violet? That's pretty heartless! People's lives are at stake, you know!"
As I turned to see who is, my jaw almost dropped to the floor.
It was none other than our guild leader Lucia wearing the most enchanting dress I've ever seen. It was a dark blue dress with floating sleeves. She also had a silver necklace and earrings in the shape of stars to match.
"N-NOOOOO that's not what I meant!" Violet made rapid fire hand movements as Lucia approached.
As she got closer and closer, it was if nothing else in the room mattered. Everything became a blur except for her. She had my complete attention.
Once she stood next to me, something came over me. I felt like I had no other choice.
I took Lucia's hand and said "Can I have this dance?"
Both Elizabeth and Violet were shocked by my advance and waited along with me for Lucia's response.
She gave me a smile and said "I thought you'd never ask."
I took her hand and led her to the ballroom floor and when I did, I immediately began. Lucia was surprised at my perfect execution, but was able to match my energy. As expected of my leader.
With her jewelry shining with each move and her expression growing more and more bright, we moved throughout the ballroom.
There were other couples dancing, but they slowly came to a halt and couldn't help but watch us.
Before we knew it, the entire room had their eyes on our movements. Everyone was cheering us on and for a brief moment, I felt something that was completely foreign to me: Happiness.
This happiness was different from one I would feel when teasing others, fighting, or even when I was close to dying. It was genuine joy. And I think that's why I did what I did in that moment.
I think that's why my tears started to flow.
===
As we finished our dance, everyone applauded us. In this world where everyone would lock swords with me and look at me with hate in their eyes, in this moment people were happy to see me.
Lucia then took my hand and led me out of the guild hall. As we closed the doors behind us she put her arm around mine and instantly got the memo that we were gonna walk for a bit.
"Where did you learn to dance like that?!" Lucia giggled as we walked.
"Francesca's Dance Studio."
I would say something like "I learned it for you!" But that could definitely come off as creepy.
"I never heard of it, but it sounds fun. Out of all the things I expected from you when I met you, 'dancer' was not one of them."
"Are you happy right now, Lucia?"
"Of course! I've never been this amused in a while- wait is this about Draco and Deltalock?" She questioned me.
Damn, right on the money. As expected of our leader.
"Matthew, I'm okay. Draco, Deltalock, and I knew exactly what we were getting into when we started playing this game. Besides, I told myself that I wont stop to mourn or cry until it's all over. I'll beat this game and end this. All of this."
I can't think of anyone that I admire more than Lucia. She's giving it her all and looking forward just like me. It makes me wonder if she's anything like me.
"Hey Lucia, what is love to you?"
"Love? To me, love is..." She looked up at the moon as she thought about the question and gave me a resolute answer.
"Love is sacrifice. If you're willing to expend any resource for another person, you must care for them. It's all about whether that love is toxic or not."
Was the love that my parents shared with me genuine? The more I experience the interactions in this game the more I doubt it. But they must've cared. Why else would they have a child?
I then remembered that stalkers story and dismissed it as soon as possible. I won't let that theory hold any water. I know my parents gave birth to me. I am Matthew Doe and no one else.
"Matthew?"
I snapped back from my deep thought and found Lucia looking at me.
How could I forget? I'm with her right now. I'm with the person I...
No...
I don't deserve something like that. The most I can do for everyone is get results. That's the only thing I'm good for. If I try to look for anything more, It surely won't work out for me. Tonight was fun, but surely there were organizers for this, people having to make time, resources having to be spent for me. From now on I'll just operate without expecting a thing in return. I'll just relay to Lucia how I'm feeling and bury it until the day I die.
As we sat at a nearby bench and looked towards the sky, I told her:
"Lucia. I want to sacrifice all of myself for you."
When I said it, I wasn't making eye contact with her. but when I looked over to her, it looked like to me that she was...blushing.
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you. Let's go back to the party!" She rose to her feet and began walking off.
I followed her back and we enjoyed the rest of the party together. After tonight, it's back to the usual. it's back to fighting monsters, fighting other players, doing boring quests for xp, and more of the like.
And I'll be ready to take on all of it. I'll dice down anything that stands in my way with a smile. Because after all, I'm Matthewthemanslayer.
Now that I think about it, I'm not using that name. It's back to the drawing board for me...