The White Paladin

It had been three days since the field boss and people as far as starting city had heard about my actions. I was now known as the 'White Paladin' across Aincrad and somehow it also got out to the info dealer that I had acquired the 'Paladin's Wrath' unique skill.

There had been several people come to see me. Some wanting help, some wanting advice, and others wanting me to train them. I several to Heathcliff so he could get his group started but there was a couple I sent to Klien, mostly because I thought they would fit into his group well. I mostly told the players that wanted to join my group that we were currently getting to large as a group and until guilds where available I would not be able to properly care for new players but if they wanted to join some our hunting operations they were welcome to come.

The day was bright and clear like every day in Aincrad. I had decided to give my groups the day off. I did not know how when the boss room would be found. Klien and Diavel's groups where clearing the dungeon today with Kibaou's group.

Getting people started was always a problem many where 2-3 person groups being siblings or a couple friends that managed to get the game. Today was the worst the whole group going with us today where failed soloists. All 9 of them.

It took a while to set them up into the two groups that I would be leading having 2 of our members in each group for safety and group combat training. There was also instruction on having a good balance for groups and when specialized groups would work best like boss fights.

We had decided to hunt the dire wolves that live in the forest nearby.

"Remember that some types of monster or mobs move in groups. Any type that will exhibit group behavior in the normal world will move in groups in Aincrad, Dire wolves being an example of such." I said while the group was moving out of the city. "The biggest thing you need to remember is groups can overwhelm you, even if they have lower level then you numbers can change your advantage quickly."

I did enjoy helping the newer players get started because it meant there would be more people when the next boss battle came, if they were not ready for the level 1 boss in time.

I looked over the equipment that the newer players had again. There was a mix of spears and some shield tanks but I did notice that none had two handed swords. A couple did have daggers with them likely thinking they were a back-up weapon. The quality of the gear was not great but in a group of our size we will not have much trouble and maybe they will have enough col after this to upgrade either from us or any of the local smiths.

Just after we got to the hunting ground I noticed a couple groups of wolves at the tree line and started the combat practice for the learners. They all seemed to have grasped and understand the pointers I had made on switching and basic formations.

I sat at the edge of the field with Samson, Isoroku and Oni. The day was rather nice and a light breeze crossed the grass. The learners had started to use withdraw tactics to draw the wolves further out of the trees to make fighting them easier but they also quickly found the minor flaw with that tactic being the wolves having high agility made them harder to hit now that they have the space to move.

"They learned quickly." Said Isoroku as he watched the groups develop their own strategy to deal with the wolves that worked with the balance of players they have

"I agree. They do seem to be progressing well….oh look one just leveled." Said Oni as a cheer rang out from the group in the field.

I stayed quiet and watched half to make sure they didn't end up getting into something they couldn't handle and to see if there was anything in their tactical choices I could use.

"Maybe we could split into a group of our own and get in a bit on hunting ourselves. It does get boring just watching like this." Samson said with a yawn.

"Maybe if we can get you another level or two you might be able to hit something" Oni said

"At least when I hit something it dies"

"But you have to hit it first."

"I'll hit you"

The playful argument between Samson and Oni continued as I tuned them out, catching Isoroku putting in a word to try and distract them only to get pulled into the argument with them. I watched the learners continue to train and was impressed as they developed a to draw a larger group of wolves out then the second half swooped in from the back to try and encircle them and limit they mobility of the highly agile wolves. The move worked well enough but would have been more effective if both groups where full. I would need to remember this.

"ANGEL-SAN" can a cry from the road I turned to see Leonidas and Kizan running towards us.

"What's wrong" I said quickly knowing that if they ran the whole was here something had happened and I wouldn't be good

"Come quickly it's Kinuko." said Leonidas panting

"Oni with us. Samson, Isoroku gather the parties and head back to town meet us at the house." I quickly sorted out my men and ran for town with the three in tow.

As I charged down the road I could hear Samson and Isoroku calling the hunting group in to get them headed to town. I didn't want to leave them out in the field like this in case a field boss spawned. Even if they might be able to handle it or get away I don't want to take the risk of some of them getting killed.

"What happened" I asked not still at a full sprint.

"A bunch of men came in and started to threaten Kinuko to give them all the weapons armor and col that we have." Stated Kizan. " I meet Leonidas near the gates of the city and explained to him on the way.

"Who" I snarled

"Not sure I didn't get to see all of them but the ones I did I don't know and I didn't recognize the voice."

"How many"

"Seven, four outside guarding the door not letting anyone in."

We continued in silence as we ran. The gates pasted in a blur as we made the one turn to get to the house my group was staying at I saw the four standing outside the door and pushed myself faster.

Pulling my shield quickly I smashed into the men standing in a tight group peeking in the window and watching what was going on inside. I noise that echoed from the impact was probably heard as far away as the dungeon as the four where sent flying completely enclosed in the purple notices of immortality being inside a city. They bounced a long was down the street before rolling to a stop and staring horrified at me.

"Oni, Leonidas. If they approach this building attack them." I ordered

"With pleasure" Leonidas sneered as he and Oni got into combat stances.

I smashed in the door knocking over the man that was coming out to see what made the noise. And quickly followed up with a horizontal slash at the man standing nearby toppling him out the open window. The in town protection saved him from damage but not the force of the impact like the men outside experienced.

There was a thump over by the counter. I turned to see that the man leading this group had dropped Kinuko whom he had been holding off the ground. Her dagger was laying on the floor near the chest that we kept our sale gear in. Thankfully the system would not let anyone else besides me move it and It had been set to only let myself, Kizan and Kinuko open it.

Kinuko was in tears and she quickly put her hands up to protect herself. The man must have been attacking her from how scared she was. Even if you could not take damage in town the impact force of high strength sword skills could be a terrifying thing

The man standing over her stood in shock. His spiky blond hair and small beard patch quickly gave away who he was. Now I really hate this man.

"KIBAOU!" I yelled as I smashed him with a vertical slash sword skill.

He bounced off the wall and rolled on the floor ending up between me and the door. Shakely he got up and shouted. "You should be giving us weapons to get us through the game."

Now I was in full rage and started shashing him with my shield to have him bounce off the door purple noticed appearing on both sides of I continued to smash at him

"LEAVE"

SMASH

"MY"

SMASH

"GUILD"

SMASH

"ALONE"

SMASH

As I smashed him the last time the door opened and he tumbled out quickly followed by Leonidas charging in. I followed Kibaou out.

I put my sword to the center of his chest as he tried to stand

"YOU ATTACK ANYONE IN MY GUILD AGAIN AND I WILL DRAG YOU OUTSIDE THE CITY AND START CUTTING PIECES OFF YOU" I bellowed at him and to be sure he got my point I hit him with my most powerful sword skill sending him rolling down the street.

Kibaou was soon followed but the man I had left inside and Leonidas evicted the man from the building using the spear skill piercing thrust. Watching the men run away I realized there was now a crowed of stunned people in the street. Every one of them had just witnessed what had happened.

I walked away heading out of the city. I needed some time to cool off before I dealt with anyone. I knew that Leonidas and the others would help Kinuko but I was not going to be able to offer comfort in my state of mind.

I had just reached the edge of the forest where I could kill some forest wolves and dire wolves when a message came in. It was likely from Diavel wanting to know why I attacked Kibaou. I ignored it not wanting to have to explain myself, he likely already heard Kibaou's version of the event.

The first set of wolves came into my view and I let myself fall upon them with savage fury before doing the same to the next group and the one after. Before long I realized it was night and I was getting exhausted. I needed to head back.

I walked slowly all the tension and anger gone from my body. I walked through the gates and to our house to find there was a guard posted at the door. The white full plate of the tank made me raise an eyebrow.

The man noticed my approach and nodded to me. "Isoroku decided to post a guard here from now on we've been rotating in pairs every 4 hours." He said. "I wish I got to see you pound that piece of trash though"

"It was not the right way to handle the situation. How is Kinuko?" I replied wanting to know how Leonidas' sister was doing.

"She fell asleep just before I started my shift two hours ago. But she was crying the whole time."

"We will be staying in tomorrow and work on the dungeon the day after. We will need to convene as a group and decide what to do." I stated as I entered.

"Be well Paladin Angel-san" he said before the door closed

I informed the Isoroku and Samson of what our plans for tomorrow where before I when to bed. Finding Leonidas sitting outside my room asleep while Kinuko was curled up on her bed. Being only to two of us girls in our group we shared a room.

I got ready for bed but instead of sleeping in mine I slipped in to Kinuko bed and wrapped my arm around her and she curled into me. She must still be terrified and that would be why Leonidas is in the chair outside the room he knew I would be back eventually.

Sleep came quickly as I held Kinuko whispering that we would all protect her.