The next evening, Ryota found himself standing at the entrance of the Iron Fortress Tavern. In the dim light of the virtual world's twilight, the stone walls of the tavern loomed large, casting long shadows across the cobblestone path. The air was filled with the chatter of players, some looking to form parties for quests, others relaxing after long battles.
Ryota hesitated for a moment. He had spent the entire day mulling over his decision to meet with Kaito and the Shadow Fang guild. He wasn't sure if joining them was the right move, but he knew he couldn't afford to keep playing solo. His fight against the Goblin Chief had made that painfully clear.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.
The tavern was bustling with players from all over the world, their avatars wearing everything from basic gear to top-tier armor. At the far end of the room, near a roaring fire, a group of players stood out. They were gathered around a large table, their armor and weapons noticeably superior to most of the other patrons.
Shadow Fang.
Ryota scanned the group and quickly spotted Kaito, seated at the head of the table, laughing with the other members. As if sensing Ryota's presence, Kaito glanced up and waved him over.
"Raijin! Over here!" Kaito called out, his voice carrying over the din of the crowded room.
Ryota navigated through the bustling crowd, feeling a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. This was the first time he was meeting other high-level players up close. As he approached the group, the players stopped their conversations and turned to look at him. There was a moment of silence, then a few of them smiled in greeting.
"Glad you made it," Kaito said, standing up and clapping Raijin on the shoulder. "Everyone, this is Raijin. He's thinking about joining the guild."
Raijin gave a polite nod, trying to gauge the reactions of the other players. Most of them seemed friendly, though a few watched him with a more critical eye as if evaluating whether he was worth their time.
"Welcome, Raijin," said a tall woman with fiery red hair tied back in a braid. Her armor was sleek and dark, with intricate patterns etched into the metal. "I'm Hana, one of the co-leaders of Shadow Fang. Kaito's told me a bit about you."
"Good to meet you," Raijin replied, feeling slightly more at ease.
"Why don't you sit down?" Kaito suggested, motioning to an empty chair at the table. "We're just going over some of our upcoming quests. Figured you might want to see how we operate."
Raijin took the seat, listening carefully as the group discussed their plans for the next few days. They were preparing to tackle a high-level dungeon called The Abyssal Crypt, a place filled with rare loot and dangerous monsters. It was clear that Shadow Fang was a well-organized team. They strategized meticulously, each member playing a crucial role in their success.
As Raijin listened, Kaito leaned over and spoke quietly to him. "We're always looking for players who can think on their feet. This game is about more than just stats and levels. It's about tactics, teamwork, and knowing when to strike."
Raijin nodded, taking in the information. He had always prided himself on his ability to analyze situations and adapt quickly, but he hadn't yet had the chance to truly test those skills in a team environment.
"Do you think you can handle something like this?" Kaito asked, his tone serious.
Raijin met his gaze. "I won't know until I try. But I'm willing to learn."
Kaito smiled, seemingly satisfied with the response. "That's what I wanted to hear. If you're serious about joining, we can take you on a trial run tomorrow. We'll run a smaller dungeon, see how you work with the team. If it goes well, you're in."
Raijin's heart raced. A trial run. This was his chance to prove himself, not just to Shadow Fang, but to himself as well. He had to make it work.
"Sounds good," Raijin replied, keeping his voice steady.
Just then, Hana spoke up from across the table. "If he's joining us for a trial, he'll need to know the basics of how we handle dungeons. Raijin, we're not the kind of guild that rushes headlong into fights. We scout, we plan, and we execute. We've got a few rules stick to your role, communicate, and always have a backup plan. Understood?"
"Understood," Raijin said, his resolve growing stronger with each word.
The group spent the next hour going over dungeon strategies, with Hana and Kaito explaining their approach to Raijin in detail. It was clear that Shadow Fang valued precision and strategy over brute force, something that resonated with Raijin. He realized that this might be exactly what he needed to push his skills to the next level.
After a while, the conversation shifted, and the members of Shadow Fang began talking more casually. Raijin learned that despite their serious approach to the game, they were a tight-knit group. They joked around, shared stories of past victories and failures, and talked about the upcoming Grand Tournament.
"The Grand Tournament is going to be intense this year," one of the members, Riku, said, his voice filled with excitement. "Top guilds from all over the world are competing. The prize pool is bigger than ever."
Raijin's ears perked up at the mention of the tournament. That was the real reason he was here. Winning that tournament was his only chance to secure the future he so desperately needed for his family.
"Are we entering?" Raijin asked, trying to sound casual.
"Of course," Kaito replied, leaning back in his chair. "That's what we're training for. The tournament is the ultimate test of skill and teamwork. If we can place in the top ranks, we'll get a shot at some serious rewards."
Raijin nodded, feeling the weight of those words. The tournament wasn't just a test of skill, it was his lifeline. Every decision he made from here on out would be aimed at one goal: winning.
As the night went on, Raijin found himself growing more comfortable with the group. Shadow Fang was far from perfect, there were moments of tension, and not everyone got along all the time, but they were united in their desire to be the best.
By the time Raijin left the tavern, the virtual moon was high in the sky, casting a pale light over Asgard. He logged out of the game, the familiar sensation of his real body returning as he removed the VR ring from his finger.
Ryota stretched and rubbed his eyes, glancing around his small apartment. The world of Vanguard Genesis had become an escape from the harsh realities of his life, but it was also the key to changing those realities. The money from the tournament would be enough to pay for his mother's medical treatments and secure his sister's future.
But first, he had to prove himself worthy of Shadow Fang.
As he lay down in bed, his mind raced with thoughts of the trial dungeon tomorrow. It was a make-or-break moment, and failure was not an option.
For his family, for their future, he had to win.
Tomorrow, the real test would begin.