Disclaimer: I do not own neither the Log Horizon light novel/anime nor Ragnarok Online. Those two are owned respectively, by Mamare Touno and Gravity Co., I have just taken some of their ideas of playing with this fiction.

Lognarok

Chapter Three: Log Horizon

"What's got you so out of yourself Shiroe?" Naotsugu asked the four-eyed as he gave him a glass of wine.

He has been hoarding food form table to table, the armored-guy was grateful that Nyanta offered to teach the chef of Crescent Moon Alliance how to cook real food. He munched on the chicken drumstick that he was holding - 'It's not as heavenly as Percy's cooking, but it'll do.'

Ever since they comeback from the abandon building in south, Shiroe has been acting strange that unsettled the armored-guy, the four-eyed has been spacing out and he in deep thoughts that he cannot enjoy the celebration.

"Why would you say that I'm out of myself?" Shiroe asked, taking a sip from the glass of wine that the armored-guy has given him. He was having a hard time believing that so much happened in the span of three days. Thinking back, he tried to sort all the events chronologically – the first day was the day that they found themselves in the world of elder tale, gaining their game avatar as their bodies, it was also the day when all the players of the game started making troubles for themselves, harassing the people of the land, taking their goods. Shiroe then got to know what happened on the town when they went on the isolated part of the city from Maryelle. The woman informed her that the guild leaders of the major guild that was currently on Akihabara had stopped and put a leash on their members, ensuing some a guild decree of their own.

"I've known you since before the Apocalypse – megane*." Naotsugu teased, he walked over the four-eyed and shove a plate to his face. Naotsugu had known the enchanter for a long time, even before they got stuck in the world that they are now, the armored-guy knew that Shiroe has been thinking of something that is bothering the four-eyed – and he wanted to help him in a small way that he can. It's true that he is not that smart, but it doesn't mean he can't help his friend. Naotsugu gave the enchanter a reassuring squeeze in the shoulder.

The megane pivot his body and faced the armored-guy. Shiroe sighed. "I was just thinking" he muttered. "It's just… - Don't you think everything is happening so fast? Like the first day, everyone else in the town makes a ruckus giving the people of the land trouble, then one second their guild leaders got them controlled. –" The enchanter was not able to finish his rant when the guardian bashed his head to him.

"Ouch!" Shiroe exclaimed, he glared at the man in front of him who was also giving him an evil stare.

"I was there megane." The guardian said flatly scrutinizing every fiber of the enchanter in front of him. Shiroe fidgeted over the gaze that his friend was giving him. Four words, he never knew words could hit his core. The four-eyed felt so ashamed for being insensitive - for acting like he was the only one who was thinking what had happened to them. Shiroe bowed his head, gesturing his body in an act of apologizing sincerely to the guy he had offended unintentionally.

Naotsugu was torn on laughing or accepting the genuine apology that the enchanter was giving him. The armored guy decided to do both – he patted the head of the four-eyed while laughing.

"It's really amazing how you always tend to do all the thinking while you forgot that you have your friends to carry the problem with you." He smiled at the enchanter's selflessness. "Do try to remember that we're with you when those days ended." The guardian added in a teasing manner, looking at the red-faced-four-eyed that was scratching the back of his head.

"What are your thoughts about it? I mean I get that it is happening so fast, but don't you think it's good?" Naotsugu asked, he thought about the second day that they went through the Depths of Palm, where he found it impressive in person unlike when they were playing in the monitor. The Cave was enormous outside as well in the inside. There was huge pillars of stones that was ready to fall off when you touch it. He also remembered where Shiroe fall off when the four-eyed try to save Akatsuki from falling.

"No I don't think its good Naotsugu" The enchanter retorted "Think about it. What do you think would happen next? Anything could happen. You were there when we arrived in Susukino." He said in a panicked tone remembering the fight that they had with the guild who was terrorizing the town. It didn't matter to him at first for they were on a mission on rescuing Serara from the hands of the guild abusers. But with what occur in the forest where Touya was kidnapped it has to stop. The nonsense player killing, the bullying of the NPC – where he found out that they are humans for they have feelings like they do.

Shaking the train of thoughts. He was never fund of not knowing anything, the fact that he only know the basic information about the new game update – Novasphere was the twelfth expansion pack of the game Elder Tale, it is said that in the change logs there would be a new items, quests, zones, monsters to be implemented. But other than those information, he didn't know what to do. Knowing that the NPC they once knew where the 'humans' in this game whereas the adventurers just like himself was the outsider that was causing the 'humans' uncertainty.

Naotsugu sighed when he looked at the four-eyed who was an abysmal look on his face. The guardian sent a light punch on the enchanter's arm. "It's really annoying how your mind works megane." He teased as he put his shoulder over the four-eyed and dragged him to the center of the party. "But for now enjoy the party, its rude not to socialize with the guild member of Crescent Moon Alliance."

Shaking the thoughts away, Naotsugu was right, he needed to inform Maryelle and Henrietta about the food that they were eating. With everything else that is happening, he thought that keeping the 'how to cook food' a secret would be wise. He walked towards where the guild leader and the account manager where, they seemed to be having a good time.

"Mary-nee, Henrietta-san, do you have a moment?" he said, earning their attention. They nodded at him. Shiroe told them that it is wise to keep the food a secret for it may cause another mayhem when it was to be announce in this kind of situation that they are in. When the two finally agreed to his suggestion he went back on socializing with the other members.

By the time where everyone was laying down on the floor and sleeping, he help Maryelle in cleaning up the guild hall, piling the dishes over the sink till the guild hall was back to its normal state. He was about to fold one table to the side when he heard a door opened. He glanced towards the direction and saw Perseus walked out of the room with a sleepy eye. The enchanter chuckled to the peculiar sight of the noble.

"It's still the evening Perseus, you should go back to sleep" he informed

"I am thirsty, do you mind terribly if I ask you to get me a glass of water?" the noble asked softly, fighting the sleepiness.

Shiroe nodded and asked the duke to sit down on the couch, he went to the kitchen where he heard a sound of running water and clangs of the plate. He went over the cabinet where the glasses where kept and got one, he excused himself from the guild master who was busy in washing the dishes. When the enchanter got back to the guild hall where the noble sat on the couch, he saw Perseus was back to his regal and graceful self. He handed him the water which the noble said his appreciation. They sat in a comfortable silence when they heard several footsteps coming from the room where the noble got out.

It was the twins rubbing their sleepy-eyes and searching the hall as if they are looking for someone – Perseus, the kids walked towards where they are seated and made themselves comfortable on the noble. Shiroe saw the mirth in Perseus eyes when the twins hugged his body for warmth. He chuckled at the sight.

"They're precious, aren't they?" He started earning the attention of the noble which sent him a smile and nodded at him. The enchanter was about to say something when he heard someone squealed on the other side of the hall – Maryelle, she skipped over to the couch where they are sitting and crouched down to look at the boy who was comfortably sleeping on the nobles lap. The guild leader has hearts on her eyes as she saw the girl's arms was wrapped around the duke's neck and her head buried on the noble's shoulders.

"I'm glad that they're safe" The blond guild leader muttered as she stood up and faced the white-haired man who was seated on the couch.

"I don't remember catching your name. So I'm Maryelle the guild leader of Crescent Moon Alliance" she introduced herself, giving the four-eyed a smile which he returned.

"I apologize for my rudeness." The noble said in a regretful tone. "My name is Perseus Black, and the sleeping boy on my lap is named Touya and this girl is Minori" he patted the girl's head.

The three adults had talked about their adventures and how the noble and the twins met. Shiroe was really glad that Perseus was the one who found the kids, he dreaded that if it was anyone else, it would be – his train of thoughts was cut when Maryelle asked Perseus if he could leave so she could have a private talk with the four-eyed.

Perseus nodded and asked Shiroe to help him carry Touya back to their room. The four-eyed excused himself and helped the noble. The enchanter said his good nights to the duke and went back to the couch where Maryelle waited for him silently. There was a cup of tea and a plate full of cookies – 'This is going to be a long talk' he thought and sat down across the guild leader.

"You really helped us this time Shiro-boh. Thank you!" she started, giving him a grateful smile that made the four-eyed blush.

"I didn't really do much." The enchanter denied making the guild leader smiled wider. "While we're heading back to Akihabara, did something happened yesterday?" the four-eyed asked quickly wanting to change topic.

The woman's good mood vanished in an instant. "It's only been a day since the major guild had their members in leash, yes the player killing has been lessen and only a few minor guild bullies the NPC. Yes it's a little safer now in Akihabara" the blond said in a stiff voice. "But… I couldn't say exactly why, but there is something unpleasant in the air in this town… it feels like… well It's like everyone has fallen into ranks."

"What do you mean?" Shiroe asked, he was at first happy to know that the town is finally safer than before, but with what the blonde said, there's an inkling in his gut that whatever is coming next to the woman's mouth would be something he would not like.

"You know that Crescent Moon Alliance is a small guild with fewer than thirty members right? And we only have four level 90, while most are under 50. " She stated and made a quiet hiss that didn't escape the hearing of the four-eyed.

"But the biggest guilds… For example, have you heard of D.D.D., Crusty's guild?" the woman inquired, facing the four-eyed who nodded and told the guild leader that D.D.D. was known for being a raid guild who beat the Oracle Tower that is known to be unbeatable, being a Legion Raid it is said that Japanese players wouldn't be able to beat it.

"Yes, it is said that it was unbeatable, but it was proven wrong when Crusty's D.D.D. burn the Oracle Tower to the ground, it's not impossible with his 1500 members, and for sure D.D.D. has a lot of level 90 members." The woman said and played with the stuff teddy bear in her hands.

"You're saying that the guilds are falling into ranks?" Shiroe asked but the blonde continued playing the stuff toy.

"It feels as though the major guilds are determining the town's mood and its rules." Maryelle dropped the toy and walked to where the windows was. "Like who has priority using the market, for example. And Henrietta told me that the same thing is happening to the hunting grounds. Henrietta also said that since the strong and weak guilds were divided, the latter would no longer approach the strong guilds' territories."

The enchanter cast his head downward. "Then the larger guilds have taken all the good hunting spots?" he deduced. Looking at the blond guild leader who nodded her head grimly.

"With the city guards, you can't fight in town. But that doesn't mean you can't clash in the hunting areas." She faced the four-eyed who was still sitting on the couch. "Well, it means the senseless player killings have reduced dramatically. Which is good."

The enchanter stood up and walked towards the other window and looked at the sight of the town below him. "Yes it's good, but somehow, I don't like it…" he stated crossing his arms in irritation.

Maryelle walked towards the couch and sat down, pouring herself a cup of tea. "I understand what you mean Shiro-boh." She munched into the cookie she took from the plate.

"It isn't just the hunting grounds. The atmosphere in Akihabara is so bad that the major guilds are erecting an invisible barrier that controls everyone. No one's to blame really. And I'm sure that the large guilds are having their own problems to deal with. No laws or ethics prohibits people from using whatever strategy they can to give themselves an edge in this world." The blond-haired stated as she look up to the ceiling and fall into a deep concentration.

Shiroe squeezed his arms in anger, as he stared at the camp site that was under the big tree outside of the Guild Building. "But still… It isn't a good thing." The four-eyed muttered which led the woman to eye him curiously. "Though perhaps it's a matter of preference." He defended, making the woman sigh in understanding.

"When you were out in the southern forest we had a meeting between the guild leaders of the minor guilds. And it didn't end well" She informed dejectedly "Many of the smaller guilds know each other, so we suggested the possibility of creating a joint council. But each of the small guilds has its own opinions and we all ended up quarreling over minor differences of opinion and selfish requests…" the woman glared at the ceiling then glanced towards the enchanter.

"Furthermore, the Black Sword Knights and the Silver Sword are aiming for level 91." The blond-haired informed which made the four-eyed gave her a questioning look.

"The old level cap was 90, but with the novasphere expansion it was raised to level 100." She stated and got up and walked towards the window again. Shiroe gave a grunt of understanding and asked the guild leader to continue on what she was saying.

"According to some sources, the Black Sword Knights and Silver Sword was looking for newbies to sell them their EXP pots." She added which made the enchanter frown in confusion. "The EXP potion slightly increase the attack power and health regeneration and it doubles the experience earned from combat." The blond-haired informed as she take another cookie from the table and eat it on one bite.

"You do know that those potions were given to the players below level 30 everyday right?" She asked in an eerie tone. "I heard that a guild name Hamelin started coaxing newbies that they would help them in exchange of joining their guild, just imagine what would happen if they force them to give up their EXP pots fo–" she was cut off when Shiroe gasped. Maryelle stood up and went toward the enchanter, the four-eyed looked like he was hit by a truck, he was so pale and there are sweat forming on his face.

Shiroe was unsure what to feel, he thanked the blond-haired woman for her time and excused himself, he went toward to his assigned room and got all his belongings and left the guild room of Crescent Moon Alliance.

Lognarok

As Shiroe exits the Guild Building, he walked slowly to the town proper and started studying all the adventurers who are loitering to the streets of Akihabara, he glanced to the alley on his right and saw three players who are sitting dejectedly on the ground, a man who was carrying a broadsword on his back had a miserable look on his face as he eat the sandwich on his hand. The enchanter also studied the sorcerer of the group, the man was using his staff to lean on to while he doze off. The four-eyed moved his eye to the last man, he was muttering something incoherently that he wasn't able to guess what the man was saying.

'It's all starting to go wrong... This town… This world…'He thought 'Who's at fault… No for better or for worse, everyone's at fault.'

The enchanter went to the secluded part of the town to observe the players who resides the place, as he walks he noticed that the adventurers in this parts of the town was suspicious of him, some of the bystanders glared at him, while the others eyed his every movements. The four-eyed fasten his pace and went to the abandon building where they found Akatsuki. He went up to the roof top and sat on the edge of the building, glancing down on the town of Akihabara, Shiroe shook his head in disappointment.

'Even I'm at fault. I'm not doing anything'

The enchanter reminiscent the time they went to Susukino, for a selfish reason, Yes he wanted to save Serara from the terrorizing guild, but it also gave him the chance to vent some of his frustration about the things that are happening. He looked up and stared at the star and moon that was shining so brightly, that reminded him of Kanami. The four-eyed smiled on the thought, she would probably scold him for doing nothing.

'There's nothing wrong with thinking' he tried to imitate the girly voice of Kanami 'But you're smart enough, so why not just solve the problem?' the four-eyed sighed disappointedly, he tried to imagine the words that would come out of the woman's mouth.

"But what can I do?" he asked while looking at the stars as if it's going to answer him back, he shook his head and advert his head to the town below him and saw someone arguing not far from the camp fire.

"YOU'RE A LOUSY GUILD LEADER A-" Shiroe's brain cut the man's shout as he heard the term guild leader. Guilds, based on his experience to all the guild that invited him just wanted to take advantage of his status as a veteran. That's why he dislike being in one, although he was having a good time when someone is relying on him, but as the guild increase in numbers, they would require him to teach them everything that would make the quest go easier for them. And he hated it – no he knew that it was bound to happen but he just didn't like the fact that he was being used in such a way.

"A guild huh?" he muttered.

"Do you still not like guilds, Shiroe-chii?" a voice startled him, he turned his head and look at Nyanta who smiled at him.

"Chief… To be honest, I don't really know anymore." He replied and revert his gaze back to the town. The four-eyed heard rustling of clothing next to him, he look at his right and saw the cat-man was sitting on the edge of the building with him. "The more I think about why I didn't like guilds, the more haughty and childish I seem."

"It's true that some guild invites veteran to take advantage of their knowledge. So I can understand why you'd want to keep your distance from that." The cat-man said as he look at the enchanter beside him. "But I dunno if I could trust something that never goes wrong." The chief smiled and gazed down the camp fire that was now put out of fire.

"Every single thing in life can go wrong, get sick, and suffer. Life gets old, decays, and eventually dies." The cat-man stated and look at the four-eyed. "You can dislike that fact, but then you'd be disliking life itself."

"I know you realize this. For example the Tea Party, was a wonderful place. But the reason was because everyone worked hard to make it that way. Any treasure you obtain without ever having to work for it is no treasure at all." The chief smiled at him that made the enchanter looked up to the night sky.

Shiroe pondered on everything that Nyanta said. He knew that the chief was saying is true. The Tea Party was not a simple party, it was a group of passionate people who cherish every adventure and hardship that they went through. The same with the Crescent Moon Alliance, the four-eyed knew that Maryelle was not asking him to join their guild to gain advantage of his status, but he knew that she wanted him to a place where he is welcomed and appreciated.

"What do you think I should do chief?" the enchanter asked dejectedly.

"The most incredible thing that you can do." The cat-man replied which made the four-eye looked him in confusion. "You never do things half-way Shiroe-chii" the chief gave him a knowing smile.

Shiroe's eye widen in realization, he remembered Naotsugu telling him the samething, that he often holds back and that he always think that he was bounded with the tasked given to them. He wanted to bash his head to anything hard with how he's mind is working so slow for him, he didn't notice that Naotsugu, Nyanta and probably Akatsuki was waiting for him to do something for a change for they could have just left him to rescue Serara from the guild that was terrorizing Susukino.

"I feel like I've been neglecting and insulting you and the others for the past days" He asked in a timid voice. The four-eyed stood up and bow in front of the cat-man and apologized sincerely for his insensitivity.

Nyanta stood up and patted the head of the four-eyed "You have nothing to be sorry for Shiroe-chii"

The enchanter stood up and faced the chief "Then, I would thank you once again for bearing and guiding me for all my stupidity." The four-eyed proclaimed and smiled genuinely to the cat-man in front of him.

Lognarok

Author's Note:

Its been a while guys! Long story-short I've been very busy with my schoolworks and part-time job and I haven't got the time to write. I'm not promising that I would upload the next chapter as soon as possible but, I ask for your patience and bear with my tight schedule for now.

Anyway.

As for chapter three, as you've noticed its all on Shiroe's POV which is derived from the anime. In all honesty I've been having this writers block when it comes to the cannon characters haha, that's why this chapter is short and rubbish.

If you guys don't know what Ragnarok Online it's a game, but it does have an animated series called Ragnarok Animation, you can check it out. That's where I based the overpowered skills.

Once again thank you! Here's the title of the next chapter. ( yeah I'm currently working on it )

Chapter Four: Duke of Hugel

"Maryelle-san asked me my heritage." The noble broke the silence. "You can ask me anything but I will choose to answer them or not." The duke said and raised his hand, there was an object forming on the palm of his hand, and when the noble grasped it, his staff had materialized that made them tensed.

"My only demand is that you keep whatever you hear from me to yourselves." The noble said in a threatening tone. No one spoke and the silence was deafening, Shiroe then cleared his throat which gained all the attention of the people around him.