February 22, 2024

DUSK POV!

It's been good business, I guess. I just wish people weren't so noisy, always asking questions when I'm trying to work. Grr...just thinking about it annoys me. Doesn't help that ever since Christmas, Violet (Draxen) and Airhead (Aero) had become inseparable. Sure, they started dating, but they did NOT have to go everywhere together with practical hearts in their eyes. God it's so sappy I wanna puke. I'm pretty sure Blizzard feels the same.

"Here" I say, placing a dagger on the counter, "30,000 Col" I price. My client nods and transfers the money, I transfer the blade. I look at the time, 17:34, good. Time to close. I check my materials, wanted to make sure I have enough… Obsilite Ingots...should have enough for the week...Crystalized Steel...have too much of...Yulian Ore...drat, only enough for 1 blade. Floor 50 should have it…

I teleport to floor 50. And the first thing I see… is a large ass crowd. F***** great. I try to make my way around it when I hear a specific shout, "Please! Avenge them! Avenge my guild!" What's this? Avenge their guild? I should look into this.

I make my way to the center of the crowd, to find a man with low HP begging the front line members to help him. I see Kirito begin to talk to him. If Kirito's going for it, I might as well. I go over to the two.

"What's this about avenging?" I ask, the man winced. Probably due to my cold tone, Draxen constantly tells me to try and change it. Like hell. At least Blizzard doesn't mind.

"His guild mates were slain by an orange guild" Kirito explains to me. I clench my fists. Orange guilds are filed with nothing but scumbags and assholes. "Which one?" I inquire with the same tone. Kirito is used to it thankfully, "Titan's Hand, I don't know who leads it though" I smirk, "I think I know someone who might" Kirito snaps his fingers, "Draxen and Aero!" I nod.

The man's eyes widen, "Y-you know the Phantom Twister and Nightmare!?" he exclaims. I notice him begin to inspect my look, "If that's the case, you must be The Alpha!" he cries in joy, "Thank the Lord! I have three of the most powerful players avenging my guild!" he shakes his head to snap out of it. "My apologies, please, take this teleport crystal, it cost me the last of my Col, it will send those bastards to the prison!"

Kirito and I nod, but before he leaves…"Hey" he turns, I open my menu and do a few things, "Here, money is life, if you have no money, you're dead. Stay safe" his eyes widen, "Oh Thank you!" I say nothing and walk towards Kirito, "I messaged Draxen and Aero, they said the leader of Titan's hand is named Rosalia, and was last seen on floor 35" he frowned, "for some reason they didn't sound pleased…"

I chuckled, "Probably because you interrupted them" he raised an eyebrow, did he actually not know? Oh my god…

February 23, 2024 - Floor 35 - Forest of Wandering

"Draxen mentioned they might be somewhere around here…" Kirito muttered. A tick mark appeared on my head, "Somewhere…" I begin, "Is a HELL of a lot bigger than you think" yeah… I'm frustrated.

I hear a shriek, sounds like it's from a girl, "Kirito! To our left!" Kirito nods and we sprint as fast as we can, Blizzard flying above me, and Kirito being ahead of me. Draxen was the fast one in our duo, so I didn't bother with AGI. By the time I get to the source, I see a young girl crying over something, and four Dread Wolves preparing to finish her, Kirito was about to attack when I raise a hand, "SIT!" I cry. The wolves do so. Damn I love this cloak. Kirito looks at me.

"That's not right" I nod, "No it's not, but I like to argue anyways" we chuckle at my comment. "Heel" I command, and they Dread Wolves, now Guardian Wolves, rush to my side. I see Kirito walk up to her, "Hey, are you alright?" he asks. The young girl cries, "Pina…" Oh God...she's a beast tamer, damn, and losing a familiar is like losing a piece of yourself, where the hell did that pity and sympathy come from?

Now that I can see her clearly, she seems about...5'3", with brown-red eyes, and chestnut hair that looks like a molecule. "You're familiar...she died protecting you, didn't she?" she nodded, and looked at me, when she saw Blizzard she began to tear up again. I put my hand on her shoulder, "See that feather? Its her soul, I know of a revival item for familiars there"

She looks up at me hopefully. Dear God what is it with me? I'm acting like Draxen around his little sister Victoria! Come to think of it she does look similar, but Victoria hates having her black hair done, and has green eyes.

"Really? Thanks!" She said grateful, "Oh, I'm Silica by the way!" I chuckle, "Is that what you're hairstyle is based off of?" she nods. She gains a curious look, "Who are you two?"

"I am Dusk, master blacksmith and-" I see Kirito cut me off. Why the- Oh. I see. If Silica gets hurt because of this he's dead. WHY AM LIKE THIS SUDDENLY!

"I am Kirito, and we could go retrieve the item but…" I realize what was wrong, and I finish his sentence, "The beast tamer for the fallen familiar has to be there" Blizzard coos in agreement.

"Well, I'll just train!" I shake my head, "Sorry, you only have three days, and the Hill of Memories, that's where it's at, is on floor 47" I tell her. I realize my wolves are still there, and I desummon them, to prepare for a later date. Silica doesn't mention it.

Kirito opens his menu and transfers a few things to her inventory. "Thanks but, why are you two helping me so much?" Kirito put a hand to his face, "I'll tell you, but can you promise not to laugh?" Silica nods, I, on the other hand, "I don't like to break promises, sorry" Kirito sighs.

"It's because...you look like my little sister" I smirk slightly. Silica pauses before breaking into a fit of giggles. She turns to me, and asks the same question, I rub the back of my neck, knowing this is gonna feel redundant.

"Erm...I know we just met but...you feel like a little sister to me...alright?" She looks surprised, but smiles at me, Kirito just stares at me wide-eyes, "No way, Dusk shows emotions! I must tell Draxen right away!" I sigh as he actually messages Draxen.

I turn to Silica, "Well then, we should get going to an inn" she smiles and nods, "All right nii-chan!" Blizzard chirps, at the new name I was given, but I smiled and took it in stride. Silica, of course will probably be the only one to see this side of me.

DUSK WILL NOT BE PAIRED WITH SILICA! JUST SO YOU KNOW!