So, in the end, Aoki brought me and Ara to a cozier place, a cafe. Not exactly a private hideout, but hey, at least I could blend into the background.
I couldn't help but feel relieved that the era of the internet, phones, and all that fast communication jazz was gone.
Now, with a system that's honestly a bit of a help but not really, what could they do? Post a wanted ad on their virtual community bulletin board? The system didn't even have a camera in it.
No chance they could track me in this sea of players with the same black hair. However, Ara's jacket was practically a beacon. Decision made – that flashy jacket needed to go.
Lost in my thoughts, the waiter interrupted my musings, delivering our order. A warm coffee for me, a cozy tea for Aoki, and, of course, a waffle with ice cream for Ara – the sweetest treat in our little moment.
Aoki's throat clearing reminded me that she was here too. "So, what actually happened with you and this little one?" Aoki initiated the conversation.
I replied, trying to give the most concise version. "Found Ara next to her father's body, tried to reunite her with her party, but they rejected her," I emphasized the rejection.
"And then?"
"I went door-to-door like a salesman, pitching Ara to every party I could find," I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.
Aoki burst into laughter, and she turned her attention to Ara with soft eyes. "Are you enjoying that waffle?"
Ara nodded enthusiastically, her mouth full of waffles, looking absolutely adorable. But the pinnacle of adorableness? The way Aoki cleaned Ara's mouth with a tissue.
Aoki shot me a sidelong glance and got a bit serious, "But I doubt the warden's after you just for that."
Yep, the whole Karen incident, "Well, some lady accused me of doing sketchy stuff with Ara."
Aoki chuckled, and her smile made her eyes crinkle, I love that smile. "I mean, the way you were 'selling' her, I'd be suspicious too," she said.
I sighed. I knew it was weird! I wasn't exactly a smooth talker. The awkward vibes were real, but Ara's presence somehow softened it.
Aoki ruffled Ara's hair, saying, "Poor kid."
"But if you're hoping to find a party that'll take her, you might want to rethink," Aoki continued. "Parties are all racing to get stronger, gunning for at least a B-class rating."
I furrowed my brows, genuinely curious. It was my first time hearing about party classes. Was this the system Matthias had mentioned?
"Mind breaking it down for me?" I asked.
Aoki hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share the information. Eventually, she spilled the beans. "This colony has a Class system for parties, ranging from S, the strongest, to D, the weakest."
"It all began with a party called Ace & King. They became influential by protecting everyone and even started organizing other parties and their tasks, like the warden you met earlier. All the wardens belong to the same party."
I couldn't shake my head fast enough, figuring out this class system mess. It felt like Ace & King were on the road to becoming some sort of rulers – maybe even dictators.
I mean, seriously, arranging parties and dishing out class distinctions? That's practically dictatorship material.
And what's up with the warden and those identity cards? Are they expecting some cloak-and-dagger stuff in an apocalyptic world?
People were busy enough with their grinding already. Didn't has a time for political bullshit. Or maybe it was a tool to maintain order inside the colony and of course to purge any group that rebelled against Ace & King.
"Why would they even do that?" I voiced my confusion.
"To create balance among groups and maximize the overall survival rate," Aoki explained.
"It doesn't make sense. If they want balance, why have a class system?" I questioned the logic.
Aoki fell silent, lowering her head, hinting that there was more to uncover about this twisted system. "The Ace & King party sometimes searches for hidden mini-games featuring boss monsters. The leader has a unique skill that creates a shield, reflecting attacks back to the enemy."
"But it has limitations. The players under his protection lose HP until none is left. The unfortunate ones at the front are usually from D-class parties," Aoki sighed heavily
Aoki's heavy sigh mirrored the turmoil inside me. This class system, wrapped in the guise of balance, seemed like a twisted piece of propaganda.
It was a cruel system. "Why don't players rebel against it?" I asked, unable to fathom the acceptance of such an unfair structure.
Aoki stared at me with a serious expression. "This is a secret. Don't tell anyone." I nodded, prompting her to continue in a hushed tone.
"It's part of the requirement for the leader's unique skill—something he calls the 'bond of life.' If party members have this bond, they can't disobey the leader."
"And the shield is linked to those with the bond of life."
A chill ran down my spine. Did Aoki and Ara also have this "bond of life"? The revelation left me unsettled.
Sensing my unease, Aoki reassured me, "Don't worry, I don't think Ara has that skill. Her father might have had it, though."
This skill seemed to be an SSS-level ability, strong but horrifying, sacrificing someone's life. But, Aoki's knowledge of it raised more questions. Was she close to the leader of Ace & King?
I narrowed my eyes, skeptical of Aoki's motives. After all, she had a track record of deceit, like in that damned mini-game. I couldn't afford to be careless with her words.
Curiosity, however, got the better of me. "Why spill the beans?" I asked, watching her with suspicion.
Aoki's eyes widened, seemingly as puzzled as I was about her sudden honesty. She took a moment before responding, "Because I believe your reason for being here is admirable, and I don't want this little one caught in the mess of the class system."
Her sincerity brought a sigh of relief. I agreed with her; Ara couldn't stay in this twisted system. I needed to rethink my plan.
Yet, finding the right party for Ara proved to be a daunting task. Confusion and complications flooded my mind. On one hand, putting so much effort into helping Ara seemed futile.
This kid would likely meet a gruesome end in the games dictated by the messed-up God.
On the other hand, sympathy tugged at me. The loneliness and confusion Ara faced struck a chord, reminding me of my own turbulent past of bouncing from one family to another.
Taking her to my party, though, felt like a risky move. Protecting myself was challenging enough; adding another person to the mix complicated matters.
I sighed, breaking the heavy silence. "Thanks for the info, Aoki. We should go; it's not safe here for too long."
Aoki and I stood, and she casually remarked, "Don't mind me. We're friends, after all."
Ouch...
The 'friend' remark stung a bit. So, were we in the 'friend zone'?
I left the cafe, glancing back at Aoki going in a different direction. I couldn't help but laugh. Her claiming it was because I was admirable? That had to be some kind of joke.
Aoki wasn't naive, nor did she possess the empathy of someone like Gideon. Sure, It might be true that she felt sorry for Ara, but it was just one reason. She must have another one.
I wondered what she'd do next. Aoki already tricked me once, and I wasn't keen on a second time. But, for now, I'd wait, let the opera unfold, and enjoy the show.
***
Ah yeah, you might be asking, how the hell Ace & King decided with class might be A or D? It will be in the future chapter! So don't worry.