YESTERDAY
The Adventurer's Guild room buzzed with lively chatter and the clinking of mugs. The team, their faces flushed with victory, gathered around a large table, celebrating their recent triumph.
"Cheers to us!" Chloe exclaimed, raising her mug high. "We've earned this celebration."
"Cheers!" Saber echoed, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "It's nice to relax for a change."
Chloe grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, Saber, any big plans for our next adventure? Or are you just going to keep saving me from King Ogres?"
Saber chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "I guess I'll have to stay on my toes to keep up with you, Chloe. You do have a knack for getting into trouble."
"Oh, please," Chloe scoffed, feigning offense. "I had that ogre right where I wanted him. You just swooped in for the glory."
Ergo, her lips curled into a knowing smirk, observed the playful banter. "You two are so obvious. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're flirting."
Saber's cheeks flushed crimson. "What? No, we're just... having fun."
Chloe playfully nudged Saber's shoulder. "Admit it, you enjoy my company. Besides, who else is going to keep you on your toes?"
Saber smiled, conceding. "Okay, okay. You got me there. You're not too bad yourself, Chloe."
Ergo laughed, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, the sparks are flying tonight. Should I give you two some privacy?"
"Ha, as if!" Chloe retorted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You'd miss all the fun."
"We just became friends a day ago. Don't get any ideas," Saber chuckled, shaking his head.
"Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that," Ergo teased, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.
Chloe winked at Saber. "Don't worry, Saber. I've got your back, both in and out of the battlefield. Just try not to get yourself into any more solo missions. You had me worried sick last time."
"Thanks, Chloe. That means a lot. And don't worry, I'll watch where I'm stepping—unlike someone else I know," Saber replied, his voice filled with gratitude.
"You two are impossible. Just don't let Lead catch you slacking off," Ergo warned, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
The door of the guild room swung open, and Lead entered, his stern gaze sweeping across the room. "What's all this noise? Shouldn't you be resting up for tomorrow's training?"
"We're just celebrating, Lead. It's important to unwind sometimes, you know," Chloe replied, her grin widening.
Lead sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Just don't overdo it."
"Understood, Lead. We'll be ready," Saber assured him, nodding.
Lead's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Good. Now enjoy your evening, but remember, dawn comes early." He turned and walked away, leaving the group to their celebration.
The team exchanged knowing glances, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling within them.
Lead's voice, now addressing an unseen audience, broke the fourth wall. "Then I left, thinking it was just a normal celebration. What a fool I was." The scene abruptly shifted.
Fast-forward
Saber and Chloe sat side by side, their heads swollen to the size of potatoes, tears streaming down their faces.
"I've had enough of your shenanigans," Lead growled, his face contorted in a terrifying scowl. "I think both of you need 'Extra' attention, am I right? You know, Chloe, what it is, right?"
Chloe's eyes widened in fear. "Ye-Yes," she stammered, her voice trembling.
"Don't tell me that you… You enjoy clobbering her!" Saber exclaimed, his face etched with disbelief.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Lead roared, his face flushed with anger.
"Yeah, he does give me time to breathe," Chloe whimpered, her voice laced with sarcasm.
The other adventurers looked at Lead with disgust.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!" Lead repeated, his voice rising in a frustrated bellow.
"That makes matters worse," Saber muttered, shaking his head.
"So true," Chloe agreed, her voice thick with sarcasm.
Narrator: Lead, that day, explained the situation to everyone but still lost a lot of reputation and was labeled as a 'Tyrant Grandpa.'
In the grounds:
Lead stood in a commanding pose, his eyes fixed on Saber and Chloe.
"Alright, what's this about?" Saber asked, his voice laced with a hint of apprehension.
"Probably the 'Tyrant Grandpa' didn't have enough energy to prove himself innocent," Chloe smirked.
"SHUT UP!" Lead roared, his face flushed with anger. "Because of you two brats, I got that name!"
"Relax, it's not that bad. If the naming was up to me, I would've called you 'Bullying Fossil,'" Chloe retorted.
"Power-Tripping Relic," Saber added, his lips twitching into a smirk.
"Ego Elder," Chloe continued.
"Wrinkled Warden," Saber concluded.
"I like that sound," Chloe admitted, nodding approvingly.
Lead's shadow loomed over them, his face contorted into a terrifying smile. THANG THANG!
Saber and Chloe's heads swelled to even greater proportions.
"Are you ready to be silent now?" Lead asked, his voice deceptively calm as he wiped his hands.
"Yeah, we can see whose hands are punching us," Saber muttered, his eyes narrowed.
"What was that?" Lead asked, his voice laced with a dangerous calm.
"Yeah, Lead, you're very calm now as far as I can see," Chloe added, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Alright, now, today I'll witness your skills as adventurers. Can you defend yourself from a higher-level monster? Let's find out," Lead announced, removing his wooden sword. "Are you ready, brats!"
"You sure are going to enjoy tormenting us; that's why you're so eager for this match," Saber observed, his eyes narrowed.
"Can't agree more," Chloe nodded, her lips pursed.
"Shut up and come at me!" Lead roared, his eyes blazing.
A dramatic "VS" frame appeared, showcasing a "chad" Saber and a "jojo" Chloe facing off against a "creepy" Lead.
Both Saber and Chloe charged forward.
"Saber, go to the right and stay open," Chloe instructed.
"Gotcha," Saber replied.
Chloe launched herself from above, her sword aimed at Lead. Lead parried the blow, the force of the impact sending vibrations through Chloe's arms. He glanced back at Saber, his eyes widening slightly. How did he get there in a second?
Saber smiled, his left hand reaching for the sword. Lead's eyes widened. The dash flashback: So it's that speedy move, huh?
"Not so speedy when caught," Lead growled, his grip tightening.
Chloe was pushed back. Lead raised his hand, preparing to strike. Saber, in distress, tried to pull the sword back.
"DASH!" Saber shouted.
Lead stumbled backward, and Saber fell at a distance.
Lead wiped his face, his eyes narrowed. "So it just pushes you from behind, I see."
"Chloe!" Lead commanded.
"Ye-Yes!" Chloe stammered, her eyes wide with fear.
"You had the chance to hit my blind spot when I was focusing on Saber, but you zoned out. Pay attention!" Lead scolded.
Saber thought, So the guy is really observant. I have to create an illusion, but that is if I can… He is at a higher level, that's for sure. Otherwise, a dash-enhanced sword would've bruised a regular person.
Lead thought, The kid has potential, and his brain is functioning way faster than the average 15-year-old. Otherwise, none of his age would've thought of using the speed skill to attack while the move itself looks like a defensive skill.
Chloe thought, What are these guys thinking so intensely that I have an entire day to wander in my dreamland? This feels like I accidentally walked into a warzone. These guys look like a boss fight I didn't sign up for.
Saber, Lead, and Chloe stood motionless, their faces etched with concentration. A crow flew overhead, its cawing echoing through the air.
"Are you guys gonna move?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with impatience.
Lead rushed towards Saber. Saber braced himself, but Lead abruptly changed direction, charging towards Chloe.
"AAAAA!!! STAY AWAY! PEDOPHILE!!!" Chloe screamed, her eyes wide with terror.
"Wait, What? We're in a match here, you moron! Just shut up!" Lead roared, his face flushed with exasperation.
"Oh!" Chloe exclaimed, clapping her hands together, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But I didn't forget."
"What?" Lead asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
In a flash, Saber jumped from behind Lead, catching him off guard. BANG BING BOOM! The impact sent shockwaves through the air. Saber's eyes spun in their sockets, and Chloe found herself taped to the ground, a gag securely fastened over her mouth.
"You moron brats!" Lead exclaimed, shaking his head in exasperation.
Saber, undeterred, stood up and activated his 'Dash' skill. He slipped, his face skidding across the ground, coming to a halt near Lead's feet. Lead tapped his leg on Saber's head, a gesture of both annoyance and amusement.
"You dumb creature. At least use your skill 'Properly,' dumbo," Lead chided, his voice laced with a strange affection.
Saber's face was a mess of dirt and bruises.
Narrator: And that's how Saber was sent to an open large field to master the control of the 'Dash' he's so proud of.
"Seems nice. I could laze for a while, but he would pop out of nowhere and kick me, so better train," Saber muttered, his eyes scanning the vast expanse before him.
"Alright, time to test all the unlocked moves and abilities, hehe…" Saber said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "System, show all the unlocked options."
A screen materialized before him, displaying a list of unlocked and new abilities.
I did get a lot of options to check out, I see, Saber thought, his eyes scanning the list.
Troubled. So many to choose from, he mused, his brow furrowed in concentration.
The 2nd entrance is going to open in 3 more days, Saber reminded himself, a sense of urgency creeping into his thoughts.
A series of images flashed through his mind: the brutal fight with the ogre, Ergo's worried expression. I really went toe-to-toe with that monster. But at least I'm at level 7, so that's good.
Ergo- She was really worried about the kid, a voice echoed in his memory. Saber stood silent, his gaze distant.
Still troubles me. Why was that the case? Was Ergo teasing me? Yes, that can be a possibility given how often she teases both of us, he thought, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Ergo- She was really worried about you, kid. Can't forget that sentence. It was too powerful to forget. But she's so damn…
Saber shook his head, pushing the thought aside.
He offered his hand to Carlos, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Now stand up, my friend."
Carlos, still in shock, stammered, "What did you say?"
Saber, confused by the reaction, replied, "I said 'stand up,' dummy."
Carlos, his face flushed, pressed, "After that."
Saber's eyes widened in realization. "Oh! 'Friend'?"
Carlos blushed, his eyes darting around nervously. "Are you not?" Saber bowed, a gesture of respect and camaraderie.
Carlos, panicking, stammered, "Ye-Yes, a friend, yes I'm your friend."
Saber remained confused by Carlos's reaction, a flicker of unease in his eyes.