Chapter Eight: Drawing Attention
I had basically become a hermit. Because of the rumors and stories about me, I had to cut off as much contact as I could. The only players I had in my friends list were Agil, who I went to for weapons and supplies, Kirito, and Bats, who I haven't talked to in months. My stomach growled. I hadn't eaten since this morning, and even then I hadn't eaten much. I opened my inventory and selected a purple leather coat with a hood (similar to the Jokers coat from Suicide Squad). I stood up and opened the door of an abandoned shack I had found about two months ago on the 35th floor. I looked around for monsters. I didn't have to worry about many players being around here. The stories had scared them off. The only players who ever came around were either seeing if the stories were true or coming to try and kill me.
There was snow everywhere. In a few days, it would be Christmas. It was hard for me to believe that I had been in this death game for over a year. I checked to see if I had my knives and cards on me. I didn't use my sword much, unless I had too. I closed the door and walked out, putting my hood on. Despite how bright it was outside, the hood covered my entire face, leaving only a dark shadow. I shoved my hands into my pockets and started to walk towards the nearest town.
When I had reached the city's outskirts, I thought for a second and sighed. I didn't want to draw attention, but I decided to get something to eat anyways. I trudged forward through the snow. As I walked through the market I listened closely for any remarks about me. So far so good. I reached a small tavern, 'The Drunken Dragon', and opened the doors. It was packed. As I entered, almost all eyes focused on me. I made my way over to the bar and sat on a barstool. After I ordered a meal someone poked me on the back.
"Hey, Mr. Hood…", he began, "It's not polite to wear a hood indoors". He and his gang, which consisted of most of the taverns patrons, began to howl with laughter. I replied to the man, "I'd much rather leave it on, if that's all you had to say to me then please leave me alone". He grunted angrily and spun me around. Jabbing his index finger into my chest he barked, "Listen buddy. You don't tell me what to do. We're the Laughing Coffin, the murder guild, and we don't… take… orders!". He punched me in the face, sending me across the room.
I glanced at my HP bar, then remembered that my health can't drop in safe zones. I started to laugh to myself. "What's so funny? Huh guy?", he yelled. I stood up and looked at him, my hood still hid my face. "Let me ask you something…", I started, "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?". He grabbed me by my coat and picked me up. We were now eye to eye. "What's that supposed to mean?", he asked. I laughed again, "It's just something I say to people before I kill them, that's all". He dropped me and punched me again, "I'm gonna enjoy beating the life out of you, freak". He then cracked his knuckles and threw me out the door. The tavern was right at the edge of the Safe Zone, so any damage I took would affect my HP. He stood before me, "You're a weird little freak aren't you? Ah, who cares… I'm gonna enjoy killing you". I stood up once again and laughed, "You can't kill me...", I started, "And whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you...", I slowly lowered my hood and stared him in the eye, then I continued to speak, "Stranger…".