With the Spider Queen defeated, the members of G2 slowly began to awaken from their poison-induced slumber. I lay on the ground, exhausted, as they approached. Reyna reignited her flame to ensure we could see clearly.
"Are you alright?" Eli asked, her concern palpable.
"Yes," I replied, still sprawled on the floor. "Someone took down the boss."
Eli stood beside me, offering a warm smile, while Reyna had a nervous expression. I looked up at Reyna, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Can I join your guild?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "Please?"
They exchanged glances, their silence making me even more anxious. Among them, Tenshi seemed the most hesitant, and I couldn't understand why. Why did Tenshi, of all people, not trust me? What had I done wrong?
"Please, I beg you. I have no one else," I implored.
Reyna paused, deep in thought, while Viri watched me with a knowing smile, as if she already knew Reyna's decision. After what felt like an eternity, Reyna finally spoke.
"No."
I lay there, my head hung low, feeling as though all my effort had been in vain. After all, G2 was a top ranked guild. Why would they accept someone they barely knew? Thoughts of inadequacy flooded my mind. Perhaps I should have chosen a different class or learned different skills. I felt utterly useless as I lay there, while the others prepared to leave for the exit.
"I'll do anything," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I truly have no one else."
Eli's gaze softened at my words. She walked over to me with her arm extended. As I stood up, the tears in my eyes were evident. Reyna sighed, a mixture of regret and resolve in her expression.
"You can't join our guild," she said firmly.
Her words felt like a final blow. As I prepared to warp out of the floor, Reyna continued to speak.
"When we formed the guild, we established strict rules that must be followed within the system. If we were to add you, we would have to create a new guild with different rules."
I was taken aback. "What are the rules?" I asked.
Eli's voice was soft and sweet as she replied, "Only girls can join our guild."
I couldn't help but chuckle despite my disappointment. "Just my luck," I muttered.
As I turned toward the exit, Reyna called out to me. "You can be affiliated with the guild, but you can't join," she said. Eli's smile seemed to convey that she hoped I would accept this arrangement.
As the members of G2 began discussing potential roles I could take on, Viri suggested that I could be their bag holder or maid. Eli chimed in with similar ideas. They discussed various tasks like carrying bags or cooking, but to me, it felt like being relegated to a glorified maid.
"Enough," Reyna interjected, cutting through the conversation. "What do you think, Tenshi?"
Tenshi glanced at me with a hint of distrust in her eyes. "I don't know…" she said, her voice barely audible.
Before Reyna could respond, I collapsed in front of Tenshi and cried out desperately, "I'll do anything, from cleaning to cooking, please… I just want to be useful!" My voice broke with the weight of my plea.
Tenshi remained unmoved, her gaze steady as she said, "I'll leave this decision and its consequences to you."
Reyna looked at me, considering my plea as I lay at Tenshi's feet. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke again. "There will be a one-week assessment phase. If, after that time, none of us think you're useful, you won't be able to be affiliated with us in any manner."
"Thank you!" I shouted, leaping up from the ground, relief flooding through me.
"Meet us at City 23 in one week from now," Viri added, as a red light began to engulf them.
Before they could warp away, I took a moment to speak. "I want to thank Tenshi for her bravery and for keeping us all alive with her barrier. And Eli, I thank you for believing in me"
Reyna snapped her fingers, causing the cave to be filled with a brilliant red light.
CRACK
The cavern was now silent and empty, the remnants of the battle fading away. Leaving me alone in the dim light. The weight of solitude pressed heavily on me, amplifying the silence.It was an oppressive feeling of abandonment, as if even the air had turned cold and indifferent around me. My every footstep seemed to sound like a lonely hollow note in this cave, echoing a constant reminder of my isolation. The emptiness of the cave matches the void within me, and I must bear the crushing weight of my insignificance.
***
6 days later
I dashed down the creaky wooden stairs of the inn, each step echoing in the quiet of the morning. The inn had a simple, welcoming feel. The wooden beams showed their age, and a warm fire flickered in the hearth, filling the room with a soft light. Old decorations hung on the walls, and a red rug covered the floor, making the place feel comfortable. The innkeeper, a large man with a kind smile, waved goodbye as I decided to end my stay.
I glanced around the common room one last time before stepping outside. The street was bustling with activity. Passing by the blacksmith shop, the only sound was a heavy clash of metals in the air. A hairy old blacksmith with a thick beard hammered into one piece of glowing metal. Close by, a NPC alchemist was preparing a booth, offering potions and equipment for sale. His inventory was meticulously displayed on a wooden table, and he enthusiastically called out to anyone passing by, his voice a blend of eagerness and formality.
Next to the NPC, a cluster of players had gathered, their excitement palpable as they huddled around something. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a flier pinned to the wooden board, drawing their attention. The group—about ten or so players—stood in a tight circle, eagerly reading its contents and discussing what was written with hushed voices.
I pushed my way through the small crowd, inching closer to get a better view of the flier.
—-------------------------------------------------------
News Guild Update
Due to the death of (Order)Darius, updated Player rankings.
Top 10 Player Rankings.
As of July 15, 2035
Rank 1:Sho – Sho
Rank 2:Ascend – Valen
Rank 3:[Guildless] – Rhy
Rank 4:Ascend – Dante
Rank 5:The 10 Slayers – Thorne
Rank 6:[Guildless] – Arthur
Rank 7:Black Cats – Archer
Rank 8: Mana – Lyra
Rank 9:Crusaders – Adrian Kundra
Rank 10: G2 - Reyna
—-------------------------------------------------------
"Seeking potions or equipment?" the Alchemist proclaimed, holding a vibrant red vial and causing me to lose focus. "Affordable prices in the area!"
passed by the alchemist, noticing another NPC not far ahead. "Rings! 1 copper each!" she yelled.
I found it curious how she called them copper instead of bronze, even though they were the same thing. I'd noticed that throughout the tower, NPCs seemed to have different names for the same currency. Some had even referred to platinum as "king's coins," which struck me as odd.
I thought carefully about whether I needed these rings before approaching her. She was a middle-aged human NPC.
"How many do you have in total?" I asked.
She rummaged through some boxes before replying, "I have 1,000 rings on me, and I could get a few hundred more."
"No need," I laughed. "I'll take the thousand," I said, handing her 10 silver coins.
"Thank you," she said, bowing.
As she passed me the rings, I decided to purchase other items like potions and gear during my assessment phase. I left the city and the scenery shifted from the lively streets of the town to the serene, rolling hills. The path was lengthy and curvy, and the time flew by as I walked steadily, my feet aching from the trek.
As the day turned into evening, I arrived right at the gate to the 23rd. The gate was secured with heavy iron bars, casting long shadows in the dimming light. I established my base near the gate, carefully unpacking my equipment and setting up a compact tent. The sky above was a canvas of oranges and purples, a stunning view that momentarily halted my progress.
"The sky is truly beautiful," I said..
I settled into my tent, my camping gear scattered around me, and reflected on the journey that awaited. "This could change my life," I mused aloud, "but is it truly worth it?" My voice trailed off, filled with a tinge of sadness.
Beyond the tent, the evening quieted down to a gentle calm. The only sounds were the occasional sway of leaves or the distant call of birds.