"The ritual was a success!" An excited male voice said loudly as I tried opening my eyes, once the blinding light the filled my vision began to dissipate. Of course I was met with my overshadowing bangs since I let my hair grow out over my face because I thought the style looked cool and not because I'm an emo, plus I really didn't see the need in overly styled hair.
Finally brushing the hair out of my face I felt the weight on my right arm since that was my dominant side and one that I used most often. Since I could now see I looked to find a shield attached to my arm with a bright green gemstone in the center of it. Other than that the only thing special I noted about it was the fact that it was small and looked medieval in make. Gotta say I'm underwhelmed since I usually envision medieval shields as large riot shield like, or at least larger than what a small piece of cardboard is.
"Please oh brave heroes out world is in dire need of saving!" The same voice rang out again, and I found myself looking at it's source.
I don't know what I expected but a man in a magician robe flanked by more people in robes wasn't on the list, then again I did just find myself blinked out of my room out of the blue just by opening up a new book I picked up. Speaking of that I should probably introduce myself, my name is Logan Parker and I'm twenty years old and am in my first year of university. I was able to skip my last two years in high school because I had perfect high marks all my prior years since sixth grade. If there's one thing people would immediately notice about me it's my pale white skin and long black hair which makes me look like something from folklore. Really I don't think my hair is that long since it really just covers the front of my face unless I put it to the side, and the back just goes down to my neck so not like it's that long.
"What do you mean it's in need of saving?" I hear a youthful voice ask from my left, which thankfully informed me that I wasn't the only one who was confused here.
Turning to look I see another guy with dirty blonde or brown hair and gold eyes holding a bow. Just like my shield had a green gem inside it this guys bow had a yellow one, probably going to have to look into that further on down the line after I figure out what in the hell's going on. I comb my brain trying to see if I recognize his uniform since it looks like it would belong to someone from a high class school, and since I got offers from almost all of them I know them all but still don't recognize it.
Since I was looking to the left I also noticed two other people holding sword and either a lance or spear since it was a long pole like weapon with a blade on the end, with the holding a blue and red gemstone respectively. Aside from that they couldn't look more basic than they already do since one of them looks like he's trying to copy my style and the other one is just a blonde guy with a ponytail and unlike the other guy both of them are in casual clothing. It also doesn't help that I can literally feel the superiority complex in the air right now since that was a neat skill I picked up in the sad game that is my life. Before I can contemplate things further the robbed person spoke up again catching my attention.
"The story about why is long and complex," The persons said as I could tell just by his tone he was forcing himself to keep a calm and polite voice. "To keep it short you were summoned here using an antient ritual which was said to summon the four cardinal heroes of legend." He said as he and the other robbed people flanking him bow either out of respect or apology I can't tell or care.
Still though he said Cardinal Heroes of Legend meaning that he along with the people near him believe that I along with these other three people are some sort of legendary heroes since I doubt he was referring to the bird. Before I can contemplate on that further I notice something odd in the lower right corner of my vision, and I instinctively reach up to pull it out since I just assumed it was another hair stuck in my eye since that's common with me. To my slight surprise I'm instead met with the squishy gap between the eye and my skull as I try to dig whatever is stuck in there out. Focusing closer on it I can vaguely make out three circles that are next to each other in a line and my mind immediately jumps to an extra menu from a video game. I let out an inner chuckle thinking that this is something like that SAO anime since they were all in a virtual game that basically become life for them. Still if it is a menu how do I access it since I doubt it's by hand movement or contact with the thing since I just tried pulling it out of my eye. Perhaps focusing on it might do something since I've already tuned out what everyone else was saying since it didn't take a genius to figure out they were hamming up the hero act and making demands. To my surprise when I focus on the thing in my vision my eyesight is bombarded with a bunch of stats and descriptions, with the only outside indication to the others is my slight gasp of shock.
"Hey dude you okay?" The ponytail guy with the spear asks me as he places a hand on my shoulder, I honestly wish he didn't do that but not like I can just be rude to him since he is showing concern even if I don't need it.
"Just fine." I respond to him neutrally since I would rather avoid any unnesacary relationships with these people since even if this is some crazy dream they would only complicate things for me. Plus I want to make sure that I'm not the only one who can see these stats because I don't want to deal with people calling me a madman.
"Well then great heroes we humbly ask that you have an audience with our king." The robbed guy says as those flanking him move out of the way so there's space to go through the door.
I already don't like this situation but fine I'll play along with it if it means I can get out of this sooner, since I'd rather just be back in my old life as soon as possible. I look at the other three who were summoned with me and we all give a small nod to each other. I might not like them but for now it seems we are all treading in unfamiliar territory and I believe in the saying that there is power in numbers, that said I also believe in many other sayings and phrases but that's because time and time again they've been proven to be true. Which I'm currently exercising by studying every little detail of the castle as we're lead through it since even if the information is unnesacary better to be safe than sorry.
Soon the robbed guy is leading us through a series of passages and stairwells in what I assume is a castle since he said we were meeting the king and the entire thing is composed of stone and other raw materials that should be outdated for construction on this scale. Still I do notice the massive city out of the windows as he's leading us up a spire of stairs, and for a moment I actually feel a small amount of wonder looking at the buildings in the distance.
"Peaceful." The words leave my mouth without thinking as the others stop walking to look at me gazing out the window, and I instantly curse myself for saying that.
"What do you mean by that?" The uniformed guy askes me tilting his head to the side in curiosity. I let out a sigh as I have no reason to make an enemy of him yet, nor do I have any reason to make him a friend at the moment either. Still so far out of the others he would be the most likely one so best to keep my options open.
"It's quiet and peaceful, just not what I'm used to." I tell him hoping that he and the others will drop the subject since I don't need them prying into me, nor do I want them to even talk to me right now, and my past is something I'd rather keep to myself.
"From the temperature and breeze in the air it's obvious this is a Mediterranean climate." The sword guy says with an attitude that I should know that. My opinion of him is already dropping from that comment since It's obvious he has a small superiority complex, but then again who am I to judge since everyone has one with some being bigger than others.
That being said I really don't care what climate this damn place is since it could be tropical for all I care, I just want to go ahead and met this king so I can leave. Fortunately the look I sent the robbed guy from behind my hair was enough for him to take a hint and ask us to please hurry and that there wasn't a moment to lose. I'll give him that he's at least polite and not rude. Ushering us to the top of the stairs and through an archway were led out to a large open area that seemed to surround another section of the castle since there was another large building in front of us. Gotta hand it to the architects they built this place decently since usually castles were just portrayed as large buildings with a large fence around them, and I really didn't agree with that summary of them.
Looking up at the building we're being led to a spot a small head of red hair in one of the upper windows before it moves away, presumably because they saw me looking at them. Looks like I'll have to be on a more higher guard then since that just screams conspiracy to me, and I've seen this scenario many times with the person in the castle looking down at someone only to later frame them. But I'll worry about that later since now it seems that we've reached the destination since the robbed guy is talking with two people dressed in knight armor that are guarding the most oversized door I've seen in person. I honestly don't get why people think that its the least bit effective since all that does is make way for larger enemies to enter into your base, but if they want to die who am I to stop them.
I'm brought out of my musings as the doors open and I catch a quick surrounding glimpse of what I presume to be the throne room, and of course the king sitting on his throne on the far end of the room. And this might just be my eyes but why does it look like the kings throne is slightly lower than the queens throne, probably not a good idea to bring that up without the proper information since I doubt this is the guy who's bad side I want to be on the bad side of. As we are led into the room the robbed guy who led us motioned for us to stand in the center of the room on the red carpet, which I will admit nice touch but I prefer black. I also prefer if the king would stop sending small glares at me since he's not really good at being subtle about some sort of disdain for me, so guess I'm already on his bad side. Damn it, this is going to make my life hell in the future isn't it.
"So you young men are the four Cardinal Heroes of Legend," The king asks us rhetorically since I'm pretty sure the weapons should have been a dead giveaway, and common sense should dictate that this guy was the one who ordered our summoning to this place. Which also begs me the question on why he apparently hates me since I can still read his face even if there is a mix of worry in there. "This is the land of Melromarc and I am here king Aultcray Melromarc the thirty second," And already I feel like his blood line has gone on for thirty one generations to long, since just by looking at him I can tell this is the king who would rather stay at hoe in the castle instead of being on the battlefield. But he did just tell us what this land was called and the fact that he's the thirty second means that I have some digging to do on my own later. "Now please introduce yourselves."
I glance over at the others since I didn't feel like being the first one since it would be better for us all to be on the same page and at least appear to be close to a team. Plus I've never been one to take the lead when it comes to things like this, except without all of the king and magic stuff. "I guess I'll go first," The sword guy says taking a step forward as he marveled at the sword in his hands. "I am Ren Amaki high school student and sixteen years old." Well at least I know have a name to call him by since I was getting annoyed at just referring to him as sword guy.
"I'll go next," The bow guy says as he steps forward confidently as I notice his grip on the bow tighten. "My name is Itsuki Kawasumi and am also a high school student of seventeen." Well at least this guy seems to be one of the better ones of this group since I can tell he seems to be less stuck up or ignorant as the other guys with us.
"Guess it's my turn," The guy with the spear says stepping forward as he rests the spear on his shoulder with a grin on his face. "Motoyasu Kitamura, college student twenty one." And this guy has already dropped to the bottom of my list here since I can already tell he's the type to think with his pants rather than his brain. That and I don't like how showboaty he's trying to be, which much to my chagrin is working since a quick glance to the female nobles on the sidelines of the room reveal them blushing and hiding their flushed faces.
Looks like it's my turn regrettably since I don't feel like doing any of this. "My name is-"
"Very good Ren, Motoyasu, and Itsuki you three will be the heroes of legend that defend our great lands." The king said cutting me off as a tick appears on my head at his blunt disregard for me, which I have no intention of ignoring or cooperating with.
"Pardon me king," I say causing him to pause in his speech and look over at me, as I narrow my eyes at him from behind my hair since my opinion of him is already dropping rapidly by the second. "May I introduce myself or were you intending to skip me?" Go on answer king I dare you, what you say now decides whether you earn an ally or an enemy.
"Dude you can't just demand stuff from the king like that." Itsuki whisper yells to me in shock with a small amount of panic on his face.
"Yeah you have to show some respect to him." Motoyasu says as he shoots me a small scowl from the corner of his eyes as the sides of his mouth twitch. Yeah I already can tell I don't like you or the king in this place, but fine I'll show some respect to him for now.
"My apologies Shield Hero," The king says as he waves a hand for me to continue, also king if your trying to seem polite maybe lose the look of disdain on your face that usually helps be more convincing.
"Logan Parker, University student of twenty." I tell him as I move aside the hair in front of my face so he can see the look I'm giving him. While I don't feel like making him an unnesacary enemy, I don't feel like making him a friend either.
"Very well, you four shall be the cardinal heroes destined to defend our lands from the terror of the Waves." The king says as he releases a sigh and puts a hand to his forehead.
At least now it seems like he's forgotten his hatred of me for now as he goes into detail about some apocalyptic prophecy about hordes of monsters swarming the lands, and that we wee the ones destined to protect the world from them. As if this damn world couldn't get more generic than it already has in just the short time I've been here. Plus if you've had the this prophecy for the longest of times then why haven't you been preparing for this since you learned of it instead of waiting till after the first one almost kills you all, seriously there has to be at least one person in power who thought of that. Honestly the only part I'm interested in so far is the fact that we get to kill hordes of apparent monsters, which actually sounds really fun being able to kill them. Just the thought of being coated in their blood as the scream in terror brings a small smile to my lips since I could release all of my pent up anger and hatred. At this point I'm only half listening to the king as he talks about how he underestimated the first wave and that they just barely survived the terror of it, which was the reason he summoned us. Once ore I reiterate that this king should have been prepping his army since he learned of that prophecy if the have a bloody Dragon Hourglass that can predict them.
"I'm sure you didn't just bring us here thinking we would do this for free." I heard Ren say as he swipes his sword to the floor for... dramatic effect? I got no clue on that one since the carpet underneath him should practically be ruined right now, yet it made a clanging sound like metal. Still I'm getting kinda irritated at the fact that he's basically willing to let this world die all for the sake of money. Hey, I may dislike humanity as a species but I am still one, and acknowledge that everything in existence is flawed but he could at least make it seem like he's not doing this just for the money.
"Of course not, I can assure you once you repel all the waves you shall be rewarded handsomely." The guy standing off to the side of the king says with an unusually sinister looking expression. I don't get the feel like he would be the guy to stab you in the back and be plotting to take over the throne, but he is the type who would do anything for money and greed is practically written on his face. Guess that's another person to add to the list of people to not trust in this world.
"Yeah, well it would seem like we have no choice but to take you on your word." I hear Motoyasu say next to me as he shifts his spear in his grasp and tightens his hold on it moving forward. Perhaps he might be more smart than I give him credit for if he realizes the only thing these people can give us as reassurances are words, which in my experience are weaker than paper drenched in water.
"As long as you don't renege we'll work with you." Ren says as he follows Motoyasu's lead stepping forward with a stern expression on his face. I can't fault him for that though since I would have done the same in making my stance known, which is the same as him since I have no interest in monetary reward. Merely the thought of ripping through beasts with my bare hands in enticing enough for me to get behind.
Which I will pretty much have to do since while everyone else has been talking I've been slowly familiarizing myself with all of the basic stats, with my intention to go further in depth later when I'm on my own. But for now it seems like my defense and strength are above average, but since I seem to be the shield that should be normal since the others seem to be the damage dealing classes while I'm the defense. Not what I would have preferred since I would much rather take the sword over the shield, but I can't complain since I could not be able to destroy hordes of monsters and just be stuck back in my old world. While I'm still not convinced this isn't just a screwed up dream, I won't complain if it is or isn't since if it is a dream I can still kill monsters.
"But don't think for a moment that you can tame us." Ren continues as he glares slightly at the king with his stern expression. Not the best choice of words Ren, if you wanted to say something like that just say that we will work with you but not for you. All you've done is just give the king and other people ammo to twist your words to suit their needs since most people in power don't like being told stuff like 'You can't tame us'. But if you wanna dig your own grave go ahead, just another reason why I don't feel like getting attached to you if your just going to go and get yourself killed.
"Exactly we won't put up with you people looking down on us." Itsuki says as he follow the other two's lead, which causes my eye to twitch slightly in annoyance as I didn't expect him of all people to say that, especially with his cheerful face and youthful features making him seem so innocent.
"Then I can assume we have reached a collective agreement?" The King asks as his gaze moves from between each of us before finally settling on me with a different expression of not quite malice but of disdain. "What have you to say Shield Hero?" He asks me as he rests his head on his hands having cupped them together and slouching forward slightly.
I let out a small huff in order rot blow back a few strands of hair that had fallen over my eyes again so he could see my face. "Same as them pretty much," I tell him as casually as possible, but not without layering in a tone of warning in my voice before deciding to continue. "Truth be told I could care less about some reward, fighting these Waves will do it for me." I tell him believing that he should be smart enough to figure out that I just told him to throw all the money he wants at me because it means nothing in the long run for me. Sure money is nice and can buy stuff but I've seen and heard of many people falling to greed's clutches and becoming corrupt and dying from it.
"Very well then," The King says after a moment of contemplation as he leans back in his throne and rests his arms on the... arms of the throne, god that sounds so weird in my head. "The sun is close to setting so take this time to rest up and familiarize yourselves for your quests start tomorrow." The king says as he motions his head towards the guy who told us we would be rewarded handsomely for defeating the waves, who nodded to him in return. I'm just assuming this guy is the kings royal advisor or treasurer since he seems to look and act the part of both of them, but I don't know or care which one it is.
"Before we dismiss you we ask that you all check your Statuses." He says which causes confusion to spread across Motoyasu and Itsuki' s face which just makes me sigh in annoyance, like seriously did these people not notice the damn dots in their field of vision it's not like there the color of glass their literally white dots in the form of a menu tab.
"Excuse me but what are you talking about?" Motoyasu asks as he lets his spear slid off his shoulder to rest on the ground before flipping it over allowing the tip to be in the air again, albeit rather sloppily done but not like that's a very faultable factor I'm probably going to be just as bad with my shield. Still looks like we'll all just need to practice if we're all unfamiliar with the weapons we've been given, if you can even count the shield as a weapon but... yeah blunt force trauma is just as effective killer as a knife and a lot more fun and messy. CALM! DO! NOT! SALIVATE AT THE THOUGHT! Bad Logan! BAD!
"Yeah what do you mean by Status?" Itsuki asks looking just as confused, but I ignore him for now as I try to get the images of people and monsters alike with their bodies smashed into bloody and boney bits out of my head. I may be slightly psychopathic but I'm not a murderer and nor do I intend to be, at least a murderer of people then again most people are... not important to think about right now.
"Are you guys dense that should have been the first thing you noticed as soon as we arrived," Ren says as he just looks mildly annoyed at the others cluelessness at the situation, and I can't say I blame him for that since I noticed it almost immediately since we arrived or were summoned here which was by my estimate around forty five minutes ago. Although in my opinion Ren you could stand to tone down the I know everything attitude you've got going on, since it's clear your in the blue here with the rest of us. "Logan noticed it almost as soon as we arrived back in the room we were summoned in, didn't you." He says as the others and even the king and his advisor slash treasury guy, fuck it I'm calling him advisor since I'm sure I'll figure it out properly later so for now I'm thinking of him as an advisor.
"The dots were annoying and in my eye, hard not to notice them." I replay with the best monotone voice I can pull off since I don't really want to give away anything to these guys yet, at least in front of everyone else in the room with from my experience plenty of prying eyes and ears among the.
"Just try focusing on them." Ren says in an almost emotionless voice, but was laced with tones of superiority and annoyance.
It only takes a moment for Motoyasu and Itsuki to give quick looks of shock before calming down and composing themselves, and once again I can't blame them for that especially since I did the same thing when I discovered the feature.
"This is Status Magic, an ability exclusive to the four heroes." The kings assistant says smugly as he's giving me further reason to not trust him with the tone he's talking in. Seriously all this guy is missing is the classic 'bad guy biting into an apple' to make him even more cliché. Still at least now they've saved me the trouble of sharing this stuff with the others when I really didn't feel like it.
"Only level one," Itsuki says with concern, but really what were you hoping for Itsuki? Did you really think that you would be given a maxed out gear and states at the very start of the adventure, because if you did I'm going to need to seriously reconsider my opinion of you if that's the case. But I will give you the benefit of the doubt due to naïveté. "Well I must say that's really disconcerting." Yeah its not really disconcerting more of common sense that you need to level up to get higher in levels, have you really not drawn that connection yet Itsuki.
"hey Logan any idea how we level up?" I hear Motoyasu ask me as I just turn my head to face him, blowing a few wayward strands of hair out of my face so he could see it.
"How else do you think you level up?" I ask him bluntly which obviously wasn't the answer or reply he was expecting due to his back step away from me.
"Pardon me if I may heroes," The advisor says before I can continue which is fine by me, if he didn't just cut me off from my time explaining the most basic knowledge to this idiot. Why do I get the feeling that this is going to become a common occurrence when dealing with these people, because I really hope that's not the case. "The legend say that you must each form your own individual parties and set out on an adventure to level up the legendary weapons you've been given." Going by the smirk spreading on his face he's leaving something out right now since he said we must form our individual parties.
Why though? Wouldn't it be simpler for us to just go off on an adventure together so that way we all become familiar with each other and are able to help the others out.
'Hold on what the hell is this warning!' I internally scream as I comb through my Status window and a warning suddenly pops up. A warning that says that if ore than one legendary weapon are in close proximity when leveling up it will cause adverse side effects and that working separately is highly advised. Well that the most BS reasoning I've ever heard of, who ever designed these was an absolute idiot since I also noticed the warning that me using any other weapons aside from a shield will lead to side effects as well. Once again idiotic, but I can deal with that.
"So your saying we can't work together?" Ren asks as he looks over at the advisor who keeps his grin on his face, which at this point is becoming extremely irritating. Your facing an apocalypse that you had to call in four random people between the ages of teenager and young adult to deal with, and your keeping a smile on your face. Your on the list advisor, your on the list.
"Yes, the legends say that if the four legendary weapons are used together that it will hinder their development," The advisor says keeping his eyes trained on Ren while answering and elaborating on the question, which strikes me as off since he could have just told us to read the warnings on the Status screen. Paranoia maybe, stupidity on my part definitely not, wanting to be prepared in case of backstabbing happening later definitely. "Therefore it is advised that you all form your own parties and go off separately to begin your development."
So in other words I don't have to deal with these people during the time between now and the next wave, fine by me since I run the guy who likes to be on his own. I'm not exactly the lone wolf, but I'm not the team player either so guess I'll have to deal will people regardless anyway since there's power in numbers and despite my current opinions of the king and his advisor one of them was at least expressing worry over the waves which lets me know they are very dangerous.
"Can't we just use other weapons until these are usable?" Motoyasu asks as he tries doing a few simple tricks with his spear, which I rank mediocre at best but he seems satisfied.
"Guess we'll have to find out. Regardless we have a lot of training ahead of us, which will be harder since we can't work together." Ren says as holds his sword out in front of him looking down at it. Okay Ren my faith in you is restoring if you managed to figure that out so your off the list for now, so DON'T! MAKE ME! ADD YOU! BACK!
"We'll have to level hard and fast if we want to be ready in the future." Itsuki says as I gain a little of my faith in his back as well since I agree with both his and Ren's statements. Granted I intended to just go out at the crack of dawn tomorrow and slay every monster I come across since that's usually what I do in games, and so far that's all this has reminded me of and the Status magic isn't helping dissuade that.
"The sun is currently setting so take this night to rest and gather yourselves, while we gather the strongest adventurers in the lands to accompany you," The king says as indeed like he said the light coming from outside had changed from bright mid afternoon sun to lowly evening colors, and I could see the sun setting out of one of the many ornate windows around the room. "The servants will take you to your quarters for the night, should you need anything please inform them." The king says as he finally stands from his throne for the first time since I've seen him, which lets his elegant and expensive looking robes and coats fall down to reveal their length. As woman dressed in maid outfits come from the sidelines of the room, I notice the king shoot me one last glare before he begins to exit the room himself.
I'll say this again. I. Dislike. This. King. But he's the fool I'll have to deal with, so I guess I need to let my patient run wild for now. Besides he did say if we need anything to ask the servants and I fully intend to do that. I can run on a few hours of sleep at average functioning capacity, so guess who's doing research tonight. ME! THATS WHO! Still I've got to decide how I want my party to be made tomorrow since they said they would be bringing adventurers for us to party with, and judging by my Mana and SP meters on my Status window I'm just guessing magic exists in this world since that's usually what those two meters represent when used in games. So since I'm the tank maybe a mage or two and a strong swordsman or melee person in my party would be good, and I'll look into everything else tonight and later on when I'm out adventuring.
"These are your quarters brave heroes," The maid who was leading us to our rooms said as she opened a small pair of ornate pair of double doors to reveal the most plush room I've ever seen in my life. "The main room is a common room which branches off into four different bedrooms with each one complete with it's own bath." To much red for my taste but not like I'll be living here for my entire stay here, plus it looks like it's more comfortable then my old house from my world.
"Sweet, we'll call if we need anything." Motoyasu says as he walks into the room followed by Ren and Itsuki with the latter giving a small wave to the maid, who flustered slightly at the gesture, well can't say I don't see the attraction to her from him but she's not my type. I prefer black haired and red haired woman over blondes, but that's my taste.
As the others walk into the room I turn my attention to the maid intending to use the approval to ask for anything to it's fullest for myself right now. "Um S-s-sir Parker is something the m-matter?" She asks badly stuttering in random places throughout her question, which is probably from her being a maid and having to serve four apparent legendary heroes, or from my appearance which in my world earned me the nickname 'The Cringey White Skeleton' due to my pale skin and boney composure. At least that was before I started building up my muscle mass to average size, stupid metabolism making me burn off my weight.
Walking up to her I look her dead in the eyes. "Please bring me books on the basic history and geography of this world as well as a map of the world and surrounding area of Melromarc," I tell her sternly as I give her a small glare to signal her I want no bullshit involved in my request since it's obvious the king doesn't like me, and I'm not putting it past him to pull some crap while I'm here in his castle. "Please." I add to be polite before joining the others in the room and closing the door hearing her heels rapidly clacking against the floor off into the distance. Looking around the room I see that the others have already made themselves comfortable with Ren and Itsuki taking the padded chairs around the small table in the center of the room, and Motoyasu taking the couch leaning back on a pillow.
"Hey Parker you made it, starting to get worried about ya," Motoyasu said as he moved his legs from their crossed position on the couch to give me room to sit. "Come on me and the others were about to start comparing notes, if you know what I mean." He continues flashing me a smirk which honestly just annoys me right now.
"I prefer to stand thank you." I tell him as I take up my favorite place no matter where I go... leaning against the wall, to bad I don't have my phone or earbuds because I miss my music already. It helps drown out the annoyances that is other people when I'm trying to sulk. Wait what a I even talking about, I had them in my pocket while I was doing my things so they should still be! I thank whatever brought me here for letting me keep them since I doubt the others have even thought of that. Best not to tell them lest the get jealous like all people do when other people have things they don't.
"Hey suit yourself, but no need to be a Moody McMoodster." Motoyasu says as he moves his feet back to where they were before, laying on the couch. At least take off your shoes Motoyasu, that's one of the rudest things you can do when being in another persons house or residence place and put your shoes on their furniture. Another reason why I prfer leaning against the wall rather than sitting, plus the floor is always an option if I need to sit down and possibly sleep.
Also did you seriously just call me 'Moody McMoodster'? At least 'Cringey White Skeleton' had a ring to it since I will admit when I was younger back in middle school I was cringey as they said and tried to use the dead memes to make them alive again. Which actually earned me the nickname 'The Meme Killer', because and I quote this 'I make the fresh memes dead, and the dead memes fresh.'... and I regret every single time I said that before I finally matured and grew up. That and I went to an online high school which meant I could avoid having to deal with other people. At least before that happened.
"Anyway as I was about to say this whole place is like a video game, or ore exactly Emerald Online." WTF! Emerald Online? Either he's talking about a bootleg of Sword Art Online that became real or I'm missing something. Which knowing myself it's probably the latter... for now at least. Which I intend to rectify this moment.
"Never heard of it." I say which causes confusion to flash across his face, which I am getting sick and tired of seeing since it seems like EVERY DAMN THING CONFUSES THESE WORMS! CALM! Breath in! Breath out! Remember the therapy, don't cause a scene like that, last thing you need is that happening again.
"Seriously it's huge." Motoyasu says with a big smile on his face which is most likely him going through flashbacks of fun times he's had on the game. I to was doing the same thing recalling memories with my brother on our favorite MMORPG where I was always a demon and he was a psycho killer who killed everything in sight. Yeah, we were pretty fucked up but it was fun roleplaying.
"What are you talking about?" I hear Itsuki ask from the where he was sitting at the table with his hands clasped together on it. "This isn't some online game it's a new console game I'm playing called Dimension Web." Okay this is getting slightly unnerving but I can deal with it, after all no offence to you Itsuki but you give off a World War two German boy vibe with your hair and dress style. So maybe just cultural differentiation between the two of them, easy to understand.
"Your both wrong, this place is exactly like a VRMMO called Brave Star Online." Okay fuck this I'm done. First there's bootleg Sword Art Online with generic title and now blatant rip-off title of SAO called Brave Star online. Seriously why do these people have to do this to me, I can tell none of them are lying yet no one has heard of the game the other person says so there has to be a reason. We're all Japanese, except me I'm half American and PROUD of it.
"Alright I think I see what's going on here so lets settle this out," Motoyasu says standing up as he clanks his spear on the ground and adopts a serious face, for the moment I'll let him take charge since I don't feel like it and a just killing time till my books and other stuff get here. Thinking of that it's been a decent few minutes hopefully it won't take to long since the sun is already down and the moon out. God, time moves weird in this world. "First off Ren do you mean an actual VRMMO?" Okay maybe letting him take charge was a mistake.
"Yes." Ren nods in affirmation of Motoyasu's question, which he shouldn't have to do BECAUSE WHY WOULD HE SAY IT IF HE DIDN'T MEAN IT! CALM DOWN DAMNIT!
Motoyasu nods his head deep in thought, which I thought would never come so I ay have to rethink my opinion on religion because a Godly Miracle is at work here. "You guys get what he means by that right?" A sigh is not good enough for this situation! What else can we get from it other than he's talking about an RPG you use a VR headset for wait else could ther... I hate him for being right right now.
"Well a Sci Fi game I'm familiar with explored the concept." Itsuki says with a small amount of uncertainty in his voice, most likely due to the confusion we're spreading among ourselves. Please tell me someone other than just me and Motoyasu have just figured this out, because I really don't want to explain it but I don't want him to either.
"Well just to be sure lets compare general knowledge and-" Motoyasu was interrupted by knocking on the doors to the room.
"Sir Hero Parker I-I've brought the things you request-ed of me!" I hear the voice of the maid who brought us from the other side of the door, most likely struggling due to her strained voice.
"Dude what did you ask her to bring?" Motoyasu asks me as I make my way over to the door and open it, and am greeted by the sight of the maid juggling a stack of seven books in her hands with about four maps rolled up together on top as well. Also the books put things like textbooks to shame on their size since these things are super thick, never before have I been grateful for my pack mule arms.
"Books," I reply as I hastily grab the stack from the maids hands before she can fall over from the immense weight. I can't fault her for taking a while since these seem to way ten pounds a book and there's seven of them. "Like a smart person would when they need to learn stuff," I tell them as I turn to the maid. "Thank you." I reply before slowly trudging my way through the room towards my bedroom for the night.
"Your going to share right?" Itsuki asks me as I manage to open my door revealing the room which is basically an oversized bed with a little walking area between the walls and a door to the left leading to the bathroom. Tossing the books and maps on the bed, I let out a huff of air since I'm not used to seventy pounds of weight being pushed down on me.
Turning towards Itsuki and the others I give my in five simple words. "When I'm done, goodnight." I tell them as I shut my door and prepare myself to study all I can. After all it wouldn't be good for me to be uneducated about this world or it's history. Because after all I am still Human, an like all Humans I can make mistakes... but I've learned from mine, and I don't intend to repeat them anytime soon.