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Chapter 11

…

Kise felt troubled.

It has just been a measly day since ―according to everyone―that he'd died. But, he didn't feel like he had died for a couple seconds. All he could remember was him blacking out from the pain and then waking up to see his fellow guildmates bawling their eyes out. Especially Amused Sharpshooter. He'd look so wrecked that Kise couldn't even utter a single word upon seeing his friend. At the time, he was bewildered by their behaviour but when he heard the story, he couldn't help but gape.

Still, that wasn't the reason for him being troubled.

He was supposed to unlock "The Fool" at Level 43 and the last time he checked, he was at Level 40. It came as a surprise, he wondered if "dying" triggered it earlier than grinding. Though a small part of him was still glad ―the paralysis on his legs was lifting. Just one more day, he'd be up and running and ready to slaughter.

Which is why, currently, Kise had his grimoire opened up and flipped through the pages to see his current skill set. He nodded and hummed, pleased at what he was seeing. But when he opened up his status to see his Swordsmaster Skills both current and unlocked, his disposition sank.

He had no weapon.

Scrolling through the skill set and equipment, he saw that there was a pair of Katana that he should get, but that was on a Quest. He'll still need something to fight monsters with. Kise clicked his tongue in annoyance. It wasn't like he could borrow from Mysterious Hooligan or any other Swordsman. His skills will more than likely break their Katana.

He fell backwards on his bed in deep thought.

Although it would be nice to ask for help, he didn't like having someone else do all the work when he's going to reap the reward at the end of it. That wouldn't be fair.

Just then, Kris and Rihito strolled in, without even knocking on the door. There was look of relief on their faces, but when they saw Kise, they could immediately tell that he was pensive. Detectives are frightening humans.

"Raiden-kun, what's the matter?" Rihito started.

Kise sighed, it didn't make any sense to lie to them of all people. They're detectives, they'd pick up his lie in a heartbeat. "I'm just...uneasy."

"How so?"

"This." Kise said while holding up the Arcana Card. "I was supposed to unlock this at Level 43."

The two exchanged knowing glances before Kris spoke, "A programmer at SuperSonic did."

Kise frowned. "Why? I get it that they probably feel terrible for what happened to us, but I still want to enjoy the game without outside help. If they unlock my skills, how will I have fun?"

"It's not like that." Rihito said as he leaned on the wall closest to the window. Kise raised an eyebrow. "Because you were feeling immense pain in-game, your real body was going into shock and..." he trailed off, looking as though he was trying to remember the terms. "...in essence, you were dying. The only way to save your real body was to forcibly unlock that skill and save you in-game."

Kise froze in horror. "I was..." he paused before he swallowed the lump in his throat. "...dying?"

"Yes." Kris replied. "The signals were sent to your brain, making your body think that it was feeling pain when it wasn't." he then added, "If it weren't for SuperSonic, you'd be dead in reality."

Kise shivered at the realization. If it wasn't for "The Fool", then his parents would have to be planning his funeral at this moment.

"How awful." the blond mumbled.

"Yeah. It was." Rihito said. "So how are you feeling now?"

"A bit better. I want some fresh air though." Kise groaned. "It's agonizing being in one place for so long."

"That can be arranged." Kris smiled.

"I'm not fond of being carried. So, no thanks."

Rihito nor Kris replied, only nodded. After exchanging a few more words, they exited, leaving to do their investigations with the help of Keisei and a few others. So once again, the blond was left alone in his room, feeling as though he was wasting away. He wanted company; Amused Sharpshooter, Runic Night, Mysterious Hooligan and Shameless Illusion along with Yahiko, Beniha and others had left to collect some metals (although they should be back by now).

It was then that his mind ran on Awesome Singularity. Yesterday, she was here and didn't leave no matter how many times he chased her out. And because of that, she's starting to grow on him, even looking out for her.

She was like a dutiful wife ―she fed him, she chatted with him, she tried her best to cheer him up as he was still upset about the whole ordeal. Hanae had dropped by as well as and she was a bawling mess, apologizing as though that it'll save her life. Kise didn't hide the fact that he was pissed, and threatened her that if there should be a next time, he'll personally kill her himself and keep on killing her until she doesn't come back.

Kise probably didn't mean it but...who cares?

He shrugged his shoulders at this, being that Hanae probably didn't take him seriously. But then again, he's the guild leader, she more than likely did. Turning on his sides, he pondered on what to do next. From the start he planned on beating this game, but the problem was, it wasn't a guarantee that beating the game will set them free. And there's no way Unseen Nightmare will agree to a PvP.

Kise sighed in distress.

Although his guildmates seemed to be having fun because he knew ―he just knew―that the Artisan classes are having a blast, it won't last forever. Players are going to want to see their parents, families, friends and loved ones. They're going to get tired of this and want to go back to the real world. He can only keep them occupied for so long and no more.

What will he do then?

What will he do when everyone is wallowing in depression because they've exhausted every possible means of keeping distracted? What will he do when his players get homesick?

"What will I do…?" he ended up groaning aloud.

"What are you mumbling about?" A voice came from behind him. Immediately, he perked up.

"Chizuka!" The blond Cleric was happy to see her and he was practically bouncing in his bed.

Awesome Singularity chuckled as she closed the door behind her and sat beside his bed on the chair. "So how are you today? Still adamant about chasing me out?" she joked.

"I'm fine. I just need some fresh air. I want to move about and go outside." he then batted his lashes at her, "You know I wouldn't chase you out."

It was then that she grinned. Almost as though she had been waiting for him to say this. She rested her elbow on his bed and leaned forward with a smug look on her face.

"That can be arranged."

"Like I told Rihito-san and Kris-san, I'm not fond of being carried like a princess." Kise huffed.

"Who says you're going to be carried?" she replied. Kise's eyebrows rose as he saw her typing a message. She then sent it off, but he couldn't see what she wrote or who she was writing to. A minute later, his door swung open and Futoshi along with another Craftsman (Kise couldn't remember his name at this moment), pushing a wheelchair. Well, it wasn't like the ones from the outside world, it was more like a ―chair with wheels instead of the normal foot joints.

Kise blanched.

"Now Raiden-kun, let's go!" Awesome Singularity chirped.

"No." Kise said curtly.

"Why not?" Futoshi asked. "She can push you! And if you think you're heavy, just buff her with "Aura of the Strong"!"

"That's not it." Kise muttered. He turned away his face and mumbled, "I'll feel helpless in that thing. And it doesn't even have seatbelts."

"Raiden-kun..." Awesome Singularity started but she didn't know what to say to him. She was concerned that he still felt that way, but wanted to laugh as he was worried about the chair not having seatbelts.

"I'm sorry but I have to speak up." the other Craftsman said. Kise racked his brain for his name and finally remembered it. His given name was Kageki but his in-game name was "Kage" so everyone addresses him as such.

Kageki made a step forward to Kise and Awesome Singularity. "It's a given that you'll feel helpless but you have no idea how your guild is feeling." Kise's eyebrows furrowed at this. "Seeing their guild leader in such a state left many heartbroken especially those of the combat class. We all feel like shit because you're hurting and we can't do anything for you; yet, when we were in our darkest hour, you reached out to us." he said with strong emotion. "So stop being selfish and dumb and get your ass in the damn chair. It's the least we can do for you. You're always going about trying to find out information or any hint that may get us out of here, and you're always helping other players level up. Please, just accept this as us trying to get you your mobility back."

Kise was moved by his words. Turning away his face to hide his embarrassment, he actually buffed Awesome Singularity with "Aura of the Strong" and she scooped him up like a princess. Futoshi and Kageki roared with laughter, as they looked funny. With her head in his chest, "Raiden" hunched over her as the blond was far taller. Of course Kise chided them for laughing at him, but they couldn't resist.

He was finally settled in the "wheelchair" but what happened next, left Kise shocked. From the top of the chair, Kageki pulled a thick black thing and connected it to a fastener. Kise was immediately reminded of a seatbelt.

"Is this a seatbelt?" He found himself asking.

"Of course." Awesome Singularity grinned. "Can't have you falling out, now can we?"

Kise started to fret for his life. "What ―" He broke off as she spun the chair and dashed out of the room and down the hallway. Of course, Kise's screaming alerted everyone present. The blond gripped the chair handles like his life depended on it (in a way it did) as they flew down the flights of stairs...of all six floors.

By the time they reached the ground floor, Kise looked pale and like his soul was slipping out of his body.

"Raiden!"

"Raiden-san!"

"Rai!"

"Raiden-onii-chan!"

Were just many of the shouts that greeted him from the social room. The players were all glad that to see him up and about, and they all surrounded him like a group of ecstatic children (although there was one player who was eleven and saw Kise as his big brother) that just received a new toy. Add to that, Kise was sitting, so some of the taller players seemed to be looming over him like hawks. They pushed and shoved against each other, just to give him a hug. At this point, Kise felt like they were squeezing the life out of him, as everyone wanted a piece of their Guild Leader.

Awesome Singularity had to intervene, as Kise really did look like he was going to be suffocated. "Back away you fools!" she screeched as she pulled the "wheelchair" backwards. "Can't you see that you're killing him?!"

"Ha..." he managed to breathe out in relief. "...hi guys."

"How are you today?!" Bronze Legend perked. He was standing atop a table to see Kise over the crowd.

Kise jolted in shock to see the boy there. "I'm fine, thanks."

"When you get better can you help me level up?" This request spurred on everyone else, as they too agreed with the young Swordsman.

"Sure..." Kise said, trailing off.

"Rai, cheer up will you?" Amused Sharpshooter said, squirming his way through the crowd to get up at his feet. He then threw a hand over Kise's shoulder and said with a wink, "Can you buy this plot of land for us?" He opened up a map of Joumei City and showed him the space.

Kise was alarmed. "For what?!" he added, "That looks expensive! You asshole, you want to leave me broke, don't you?!"

"Rai, Rai, Rai..." the Archer said while shaking his head. "It's all for the better of the guild. You're the richest one of us all, so we're asking of you this small favour..."

"I'm not rich! I have to feed, clothe, and shelter you lot! How can I still be rich after all that?!"

Amused Sharpshooter remained unchanged, looking at Kise with that goofy grin. "Because you still are." he chuckled. "A completely broke player wouldn't be so relaxed as you are. I know you're loaded, Rai. Don't try to deny it."

"What do you want it for?" Kise then said, knowing that it was a lost cause to argue with the Sharpshooter. Looking at the area once again, he noticed this area was relatively close to their guild yard, but for the life of Kise, he couldn't see what they could want it for. If it were the Artisan players asking for it, then he could have tried to understand. But this was Amused Sharpshooter, who was 100% combat class.

"It's a surprise." he grinned.

Kise grumbled and agreed anyway. He knew that Amused Sharpshooter knew that he didn't like spending money frivolously. He'll kill him if he finds out it was for nothing useful.

"On that note, Raiden-san, we need a guild colour and we can't decide." Tomohito spoke up.

Kise rolled his eyes. He didn't come out of his room for this. "Just choose a colour that looks good with my blond hair." he sighed. "But no orange or extremely bright colours."

"Black!" A player screamed out.

"No. We'll really look like yakuza or something." Kise shot down swiftly.

"Wouldn't that be cool?! Other players will piss their pants in fear!"

Kise rolled his eyes. "If everyone is afraid of us, we'll lose money."

"Yellow!"

"Are you deaf? No bright colours. Take into consideration the Archers and Assassins and those other classes who need to blend into the background." he then added, "Plus, I'm already blond, I don't need any more yellow on me." Kise denied.

"Royal Blue!"

"Purple!"

"Black! Black!" Another screeched continuously. He was an Assassin and had agreed with what Kise had said earlier. "I don't care if we look like yakuza! Black!"

"With gold trimmings and edges!" A thief added with too much enthusiasm. "That way we won't look like yakuza!"

"No way! I want green!"

"Bitch, I'm an Archer! I don't need any more green!"

And so, an argument erupted between the members of the guild, fighting over which colour should represent their guild. Screeches and incoherent shrieks echoed throughout the social room, giving the blond guild leader a headache.

Kise rubbed his temples. This was one of the reasons why he was a solo player ―he couldn't bother with this indecisive drama.

With an eye roll, he opened up the Menu and searched for the guild colour options. He then chose the main colour as "Cobalt Blue" and added another minor colour ―dark purple. The change was immediate. Everyone's outfits changed to these colours, the players looking at their new clothes with surprise.

"There. Satisfied?" Kise asked, however, with the tone of voice he used, no one dared to refute. "Good." he grinned.

"Great, now Rai, go out and get some fresh air." Mysterious Hooligan said, sounding a bit rushed. "And while you're at it, go buy that land."

Everyone nodded vigorously, at this, Kise could tell that they were up to something. But before he could question them, Awesome Singularity wheeled him out of the room, exiting the building. As the warm sunlight hit Kise's face, the blond heaved a sigh of relief. Although it has been only a few days (one of which he was unconscious for), he longed to get outside.

The alluring scent of the café, the cool and refreshing breeze against his skin, the warmth of the sun, the beautiful arrangement of the flowers in his guild yard, Kise missed it all. As Awesome Singularity continued to push him, Kise felt someone else trudged up beside them.

"What's up, Rai?"

It was none other than Runic Night.

"Can't you see?" Kise asked in a sarcastic tone. "There isn't a single thing "up"."

Runic Night chuckled. But less than a second later, his face took on a more serene look. "I don't think I've ever said this to you before, but thanks." Kise rose an eyebrow. The Warrior continued, "You've been doing a damn good job, all by yourself," he emphasized this a little too much, "You're an amazing person, Rai. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Kise didn't know how to respond. He's never this side of Runic Night before and wondered if getting affected by an after-effect and dying prompted the boy to express himself. Whatever the case, it was somewhat creepy but at the same time, moving.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Kise said with a nod.

"I feel like I'm third-wheeling or something." Awesome Singularity sighed. "Ayato-kun, please don't speak like that to Raiden. It's odd."

Runic Night laughed. "I was trying to be sentimental!" his laughter died down when he tried to change the subject. "So where are we heading?"

"I don't know. Anywhere, I guess." Kise shrugged.

"I was planning on bringing him to the Land Owners' Market to purchase that area." Awesome Singularity responded.

"Hmm..." he hummed. "Couldn't you use a Travel Rune?" Kise and Awesome Singularity's eyebrows rose in confusion at this. "I mean, Elf can kill anyone within a safe-zone right? So, he's probably pretty pissed right now. Instead of having Rai leave the compound where we could save him, let's just teleport there and back. That way, Elf won't see him, thinking that he's still here."

"That's actually the smartest way to go about it." Awesome Singularity nodded. Then, she leaned over to Runic Night and whispered, "But won't it be too quick? I mean, they'll need time to hide the things before they can move it to the area."

Runic Night tapped his chin. "That's right." However, his face brightened like a light bulb. "We could take him to different places in the meantime. He won't suspect a thing."

While Kise couldn't hear a thing that they were saying, he could hear the sounds of whispering and hated it. He felt as though they were scheming something but then again, what could they possibly hide? He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Runic Night shout with an all too excited tone:

"So, let's go!"

In the blink of an eye, the Warrior whipped out a Travel Rune and all three were immediately teleported to the Land Owner's Market. Even though it was called "Market", it was a building with about two stories and controlled by NPCs. Inside was empty, much to Kise's shock, only the NPCs present. Awesome Singularity pushed him towards the receptionist desk and following her programming, the female NPC said,

"Hello, how may I help you?"

"We're here to purchase Lot 12." Runic Night answered.

With a nod, the NPC said, "That will be five hundred thousand gold coins."

Kise's face immediately lost all its colour. Runic Night flashed him a smile, and right there, Kise felt like strangling him to death. That price was beyond expensive, and although it was within Kise's wallet range, he still found it hard to fork out so much money for something he didn't know the usage of.

Seeing how hesitant Kise was, Runic Night batted his lashes playfully, urging him to pay up. With a sigh, Kise gave in, remembering that he told Amused Sharpshooter (in front of everyone) that he'd really buy the land.

Doing the transactions and signing the contract, the land was officially Kise's, although he was trembling so much that Runic Night had to assist him. It was painful, seeing that the longer he stays as Guild Leader, the more broke he'll become.

"This is the last time I'm spending so much money on you!" Kise hissed, wiping away his fake tears. "If it's not food, you better go to a dungeon and earn your money!"

"Hai, hai." Runic Night nodded. "But there won't be a next time. This is the last time."

Kise froze. The Warrior's tone of voice scared him, as he sounded like he'll never see them again or something. The blond looked at him with worried eyes, and it was then that Runic Night realized how he sounded.

"I mean, we won't ask you to buy anything for us."

"You better."

But, what Kise didn't notice was Awesome Singularity standing afar off from them and messaging Amused Sharpshooter with a satisfied grin on her face. When she was done and closed the message box, she silently walked back over to Kise and Runic Night after giving the Warrior a nod.

"Well then, Rai," Runic Night began, talking the chair from Awesome Singularity and pushed him out of the building. "Let's do some sightseeing."

"What? What's there to sightsee?" Kise said, rolling his eyes. "Just take me back home. This chair is uncomfortable."

"No, no, no," Awesome Singularity grinned as she trotted beside them. "There are plenty of places that we can go to." She then opened up a map, searching for a preferred area. When she found it, a smile came on her face. "We can go here, the Mystic Mountains, right?"

"Yes." Runic Night smirked. Kise shook his head in refusal, but neither were willing to relent. Yet again, Runic Night took out a Travel Rune, and within a flash, they were whisked away to the Mystic Mountains.

…

The trio reached the Mountains and what they saw left them awestruck. Neither of them have been here before, so they didn't know what to expect. However, it was listed as one of the best places to relax in the game. There was an unending chain of massive mountains, steep and majestic. Parts of them seem to be made out of granite, the other parts seemed to be a mixture of different minerals. The ancient trees reached high up into the sky. The fields were vast and all kinds of mythical beasts ―Pegasus, dragons etc.― were running and flying around.

Kise was left in awe at the scenery, and as his eyes scanned across the towering mountains and precipitous ridges, his gaze landed on the small valley below. From what the blond saw, the terrain of this land would be suitable for camping. Kise figured that maybe he could treat his guild to a camping trip one of these days ―when he's richer, that is.

There was a meandering brook, with its small stream, if heavy rain should fall, flooding wouldn't be an issue. The valley was wide, yet its mouth was extremely narrow, but there was a tranquil ambiance about the place that calmed Kise. He momentarily forgot about the pain he felt when he couldn't walk, the burning hatred for Unseen Nightmare for robbing them of their lives...at the moment Kise was actually at ease. The subtle breeze that blew calmed Kise's stormy spirit, and was tempting to lull the blond to sleep.

"Wow, this is a beautiful place." Runic Night said, his coarse voice ruining Kise's mood. "Damn,"

"I agree." Awesome Singularity said. "It makes me feel like there isn't a single thing to worry about."

"What about you Rai?" Runic Night asked. "Loving the view?"

Kise could only manage a nod. No doubt, the area was beautiful, and the blond felt like he could stay here for the remainder of the game. But sadly, that won't be an option. They had to conquer this game if they wanted to keep their minds sane, and they had find a way to take down Unseen Nightmare as the police have no idea as to where to start searching for him in the real world.

"I just wonder if when we beat this game, will we really be free?" he blurted out. It has been lingering on his mind for the longest while, and frankly, he hadn't an inkling if it were the case. "I mean, we haven't gotten any confirmation that beating the game will set us free…"

"That's the million dollar question indeed." Runic Night said. "Unless Elf is the final boss or something."

"Which I highly doubt." Awesome Singularity joined in. "It just doesn't seem like the case."

"Hmm…" Kise hummed to himself. He just gotten an idea, but in his current state, he doubts that he'd be able to execute it. He'll need to get to Grand-Swordsmaster level first. So, he decided, for the time being, he'll just enjoy whatever this game has to offer and try to complete it without dying by Unseen Nightmare's hands.

"Anyway, enough of that, let's get cracking!" Runic Night screeched as he sprinted down the slope with Kise. Frightened, Kise let out a scream of terror, which was followed by a string of colourful curses directed at the Warrior.

"As always, your mouth is as filthy as a public sewer!" he howled out in laughter. "I swear, Rai, your ancestors are probably rolling in their graves at your foul language!"

"I'll show you what's dirty as —" Kise broke off when the chair hit a rock in the ground. Thanks to the seatbelt, Kise wasn't sent flying, but instead, Runic Night crashed into him and the two barrelled into the ground.

"Heh, what a bumpy ride." Runic Night joked as he spat out dirt and grass. Awesome Singularity jumped over the Warrior and Kise up, but it was clear that the blond Cleric was not happy.

"Rune…" Kise snarled and opened up his grimoire, pulling out his Holy Sceptre, "…die."

At that, a pained scream could be heard echoing across the valley.

…

Back at the guild, the players could be seen sitting in the social room, seeming to be awaiting something. Amused Sharpshooter sat in a chair atop a table so that the others could have a clear view of him. He tapped his feet impatiently, glancing at the clock he brought up from the Menu. Just then, he heard a "ding" sound and jumped in shock.

Opening up the message, a grin that stretch from ear to ear appeared on his face, which signalled to the others in the room, the good news that they were awaiting. Even some Artisan classes were present, except the Chefs since they had the café to tend to). The Archer read the message out loud to the entire room, which was followed by screams and hoots of excitement.

"I can't wait to see the look on Raiden's face when we surprise Raiden with this." King Aiza said as he rubbed his hands sinisterly.

"I know right?" Spring Breeze nodded. But then his face softened a little bit, "He really deserves this. He's been through a lot and has been doing so much for us, I'm just glad I'm able to be a part of something for him."

"That's right," Mysterious Hooligan said, "So you assholes better not fuck this up. This is our one chance to show Rai how much we appreciate him."

"Now you bastards," Amused Sharpshooter grinned at them as he got up out of the chair, "I take it that you all know what to do, right?" the players nodded. "Good, I now commence Operation: GLAD!"

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